DRUGS have been found among Jelly Tots at the Nestle factory in Newcastle. The unidentified pink tablets were found by staff on the production line at the factory based in the Fawdon area of the city. As soon as the pills were spotted production
GUS POYET hailed Sunderland’s Premier League match winners as a late flurry of goals saw off Championship opposition to book his side a Capital One Cup third-round tie at home to Stoke City. Jordi Gomez, Adam Johnson and Connor Wickham all scored
SUNDERLAND’S reward for this evening’s Capital One Cup victory over Birmingham City is a third-round tie at home to Stoke City. The Black Cats will entertain Mark Hughes’s side in the week beginning on September 22 as they look to repeat last season
Full-time: Birmingham City 0 Sunderland 3 AS last season proved, the road to Wembley is a long and winding one, but at least Sunderland avoided the prospect of a breakdown in the West Midlands as they successfully negotiated the first hurdle on
A MAJOR search was launched tonight (Wednesday) after reports of a woman in distress on the A66 near Darlington.Police in Darlington co-ordinated the operation which centered on the Blands Corner area of the town, near Blackwell around 8pm.A spokeswoman
A NEW junior football clubhouse has been given the seal of approval by former Middlesbrough and England boss Steve McClaren. The Derby County manager, who still lives on Teesside, officially opened the £418,000 project at Cleveland Juniors in the
A LORRY driver whose careless driving resulted in the death of a cyclist and father-of-three has been given a four-month jail sentence, suspended for two years. The judge in the case of Kevin David Young conceded that the family of the victim,
“When I heard those Merlin engines and I saw her coming in to land, it brought on a feeling of nostalgia. The hairs on the back of my neck stood up and it brought all the memories back of my time on the Lancasters.” So said Bomber Command veteran
MIKE McGrother is a musician, teacher, and father who cares deeply about his local community. He was the man who recently inspired Stockton’s poignant sunflower commemoration of the local men who died in the First World War. His open letter
TWO people were rescued after a two-car collision in Consett.The accident happened on Wednesday afternoon on Iveston Lane, near the Pavilion Cantonese restaurant.The two casualties were released by fire fighters using cutting equipment. Police and ambulance
FOUR military veterans have volunteered to take part in a charity skydive over Durham Tees Valley Airport to celebrate the Mynarski Lancaster flypast.The veterans, aged between 45 and 79, are hoping that the jump will launch Age UK Darlington’s
JOZY ALTIDORE returns to Sunderland's starting line-up as Gus Poyet makes six changes for Sunderland's Capital One Cup game with Birmingham City this evening. Altidore, who only managed two goals in the whole of last season, replaces Steven Fletcher
A FORMER chairman of Durham County Council has died following an illness. Retired school teacher Councillor Pauline Charlton had lived in Cockfield since 1984 and represented the Evenwood electoral division. She was chairman of the county council
YOUNG volunteers are digging deep to transform an unloved corner of a college campus into an oasis of calm for special needs students.A team of 16 and 17-year-olds are creating a sensory garden at the Aspire Centre, which is on Bishop Auckland College
A MOCK-UP aircrash - complete with actors, flames and the element of surprise - today (Wednesday, August 27) tested RAF personnel and emergency crews in their response to a major incident. A scenario was created in which two RAF aircraft had crashed and
A PERVERT who spied on young girls using hidden cameras and also kept images of them has been jailed for more than four years. John Jukes had hundreds of indecent images of children involved in sexual activity, some taken from the internet, and
NORTH-EAST bands are gearing up to perform alongside pop royalty at one of the biggest music events in the region. The second annual Hardwick Live Garden Party, at Hardwick Hall Hotel near Sedgefield, County Durham, next month, features international
A TALENTED athlete has died in an apparent tragic accident in Thailand. Jason Flannery, 25, a former pupil at Wensleydale School, in Leyburn, was found dead in a sixth floor flat in tourist resort Pattaya at 3am on Saturday (August 23). Police
A SYMBOL of Second World War history has landed in the region ahead of a nostalgic flypast event today. The Mynarski Memorial Lancaster – named after heroic Canadian airman Andrew Mynarski – arrived at Durham Tees Valley Airport at about 5pm.
THE inquest into the death of a woman savaged by a police dog has been opened.Middlesbrough pensioner Irene Collins died in hospital in July days after she was bitten by a German Shepherd which was in her house searching for a suspect.The dog, which is
A SHOPPING centre has been presented with an award for its efforts to cut crime in its car parks.Dalton Park, the outlet shopping centre near Murton in County Durham, has been presented with the Park Mark Safer Parking Award for the eighth consecutive
PLANNERS have rejected an application to turn a former Darlington barber shop into a takeaway for a second time.A revised application to convert the boarded-up shop in Belvedere Road, Darlington, into a Thai takeaway was submitted to Darlington Borough
DIRECTORS of a company which helps adults with learning difficulties are facing fraud charges.Yvonne Britton, 66, of Yarm Road, in Darlington, was at Newton Aycliffe Magistrates Court today (Wednesday, August 27) to face six charges of fraud by abuse
THE final open garden in County Durham this season will take place this weekend.Keen gardeners Caroline and Jonathan Peacock will open their private garden at Ravensford Farm on Sunday, August 31, as part of the National Garden Scheme.They bought their
NORTH-East music legend Sting will give special concerts next year at one of the region’s leading venues.The Wallsend-born musician will perform at the Sage Gateshead on April 24 and 26 and proceeds from the shows will go to its tenth birthday appeal.The
TELLY addicts in Darlington are being offered the chance to get paid for sharing their views about what's on the box. TV research panel theviewers.co.uk is aiming to shake up the research industry and is looking to recruit participants in the area
AN unlicensed rider who used his brother's motorbike without permission was over the drink-drive limit when he crashed into the back of another vehicle, a court heard. Matthew Albert Coates collided with the back of a taxi, which had just pulled
A CHARITY rugby match is to be staged in memory of a young mother who died of cancer. Kelly Kasher, a mother-of-three from Lanchester, County Durham, died of pneumonia following a battle with lymphoma and leukaemia in March 2012, aged 27. Since
ONE of the country’s top gardening events will be a frenzy of fruit this year as it celebrates all things apple.Next month’s Harrogate Autumn Flower Show will offer visitors the chance to find out more about the crunchy British favourite -
A NEW travel hub aimed at encouraging more people to take the train and cut congestion will be unveiled next week. The facility, which has been funded by Durham County Council, is part of an upgrade to Bishop Auckland railway station. It will
A TRAINEE PE teacher will embark on an epic cycling challenge this week in memory of a friend who died of cancer. Anthony Cox, from Newton Aycliffe, plans to cycle the 300 miles from London to Newcastle in just 24 hours on Saturday, August 30.
COUPLES-to-be can now look forward to tying the knot in historic fashion.York’s Castle Museum has just been granted a wedding licence for the first ever evening ceremonies in Yorkshire. And it means couple will be able to enjoy settings such as
IS this the region's most overlooked rescue dog?Players of the postcode lottery are appealing to help find a permanent home for the longest-serving canine residents at Dogs Trust Darlington.Seven-year-old Jed has been cared for by the charity since
A CREDIT union worker was attacked and bitten by a German Shepherd as she visited a Newton Aycliffe house to collect payment.The female employee was attacked as she visited Kristen Keane, 24, and his mother Susan Dobinson, 55, at their home in Blackton
ARCHIE, a five month old, long-haired, grey tabby kitten is missing in the Middleton St George / Middleton One Row area of Darlington He has been microchipped and was last seen on the evening of Tuesday (August 27) in The Paddock. Residents
A COUPLE who dress solely in vintage clothing were the runners up in a national style contest. Frankie and Melanie Calland, from Howden-le-Wear, near Crook, County Durham, came second in the Mr and Miss Vintage UK competition at Twinwood Festival
STUDENTS at a Darlington school will feel the benefit of a £700,000 sports hall when they return after the summer holidays next week. Former assistant headteacher Dave Tucker has left a permanent legacy at Darlington School of Mathematics and Science
A FORGOTTEN painting depicting a North-East city as it looked 169 years ago has been returned to the region.William R Robinson’s Durham Cathedral and Castle had been in a private collection in St Peter Port, the capital of the Channel Island of
AITOR KARANKA is in the fortunate position of having three talented goalkeepers on his books – but in the eyes of many Middlesbrough supporters, the Spanish head coach is backing the least reliable of the trio as his number one. Karanka went out
TICKETS are selling out fast for one of the region’s most eagerly awaited folk festivals. From modest beginnings in a single venue in 2006, Sedgefield Folk Festival in Sedgefield, County Durham, now attracts established acts from across the UK
Advertising Feature DURHAM-BASED Giles Insurance Brokers has announced a major rebrand following its recent acquisition by leading insurance broker Arthur J. Gallagher. The Giles branch in Durham has made the transition to the Arthur J. Gallagher
A TRUSTED mainstay of a horse riding charity is set to enjoy retirement after having his reins hung up after 22 years' faithful service. Ginger Pop, a chestnut Welsh pony, was one of the original twelve ponies when the Unicorn Centre at Hemlington
A VILLAGE will launch its new community cafe with a fun day. The community centre at Nettlesworth, near Chester-le-Street, will be the venue for the event on Tuesday (September 2) between 1pm and 3pm. The community cafe will open on Mondays
A NEW 10km run will be held for the first time next month (Sunday, September 14).The Coxhoe Trail Run will follow a scenic and undulating route along old railway lines and quarry paths between Coxhoe and Kelloe, in County Durham.There will be prizes for
A PARENT, baby and toddler group is set to be launched after volunteers landed a £46,000 grant.Charity East Thirsk Community Association said the People’s Health Trust funds would enable it to create a group to promote play and learning through
A LOCAL Post Office has received a special delivery that should help for smoother services for customers in the area.The Ripon office has been given a brand new Mercedes Sprinter van, kitted out to provide a walk-in post office on wheels, with the added
CHILDREN who threw a message in a bottle overboard during a boat trip up the River Tees were delighted when it was picked up by an open water swimmer. Members of the Darlington branch of the performing arts school Stagecoach left the message during
WORLD and Olympic 10,000m champion, Tirunesh Dibaba, has confirmed she will renew rivalries with Edna Kiplagat in next month’s Bupa Great North Run. Kiplagat, who created history in Moscow last summer as she became the first woman to claim back-to-back
West Auckland have appointed Anth Smith as their new manager. Smith, whose last job was at Gateshead, will take charge of West for the first time this Saturday against Darlington in the preliminary round of the FA Cup. He’s an old Sunderland team
SIX people have been arrested for suspected drugs and money laundering offences this morning. More than 40 police officers were involved in Operation Bream, which led to arrests in Witton Gilbert, Langley Park, Stanley, Hetton-le-Hole and Houghton-le-Spring
A TEENAGE shop assistant was threatened with a knife during a robbery at an off licence on Bank Holiday Monday.The 19-year-old woman was at work at Booze Busters in Dalton Way, Newton Aycliffe, County Durham, when the robber entered at about 6.30pm on
AN IT specialist is expanding and creating jobs after securing work worth more than £2m.Razorblue, in Catterick, North Yorkshire, is providing a range of services for retailer Sports Direct.It also has a contract with Dublin’s Furlong Flooring
A SPECIAL service is to be held marking 50 years since two village chapels merged. St Andrew’s Methodist Church, in Coxhoe, near Durham, met for the first time on September 6, 1964, following the merger of the St John’s and Central congregations
COMMUNITY and volunteer groups are being urged to bid for a share of £400,000 to promote better health in Middlesbrough and Redcar and Cleveland.NHS South Tees Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) has launched a £200,000 Community Innovations
AITOR KARANKA remains confident Patrick Bamford will be confirmed as a Middlesbrough player in time to play against Reading at the weekend. Karanka watched his Boro side reach the third round of the Capital One Cup this evening, with two goals
A MARINE engineering firm aims to create jobs as it targets global markets with a new product.Tyne and Wear Marine (TWM) has developed the Bollard Load Test for marine bollards.The company say it uses a hydraulic ram to create pull, replacing the traditional
ROYAL Bank of Scotland has been fined £14.5m for failing to ensure advice to mortgage customers was suitable. The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) said state-backed RBS had “serious failings”. The FCA said only two of the 164 sales it reviewed
A NORTH-EAST pharmaceutical firm is working with a cancer charity on drug development. Onyx Scientific, in Sunderland, is supporting Cancer Research UK. The contract research and manufacturing organisation is backing the charity on development
If you are mulling over buying that dress/shoes/games console, do you reach for your tablet rather than hit the shops?If so, you are part of a fast-growing breed.A string of reports has shed light on how advances in technology are slipping so seamlessly
A BUSINESS park is to host an event highlighting to school pupils the opportunities that exist for careers in eco friendly technologies.Lingfield Point in Darlington, which owner Marchday has developed sustainably by regenerating buildings and space at
IT’S official – men are not all that masterful with a mop. In fact, men are five times less likely than women to do any household cleaning, according to a new survey, by Housekeep.com. It’s depressing, but it’s hardly a surprise. Of course, there
MINNESOTA-BASED musician, Chastity Brown, returns to the UK this September for a live tour calling in at Newcastle’s Cluny 2 on September 27. ‘Back-Road Highways’, her 2013 album, gained critical acclaim and was a favourite among reviewers’ end
THE Lady Boys of Bangkok are returning to Tyneside with a month-long series of shows, called Red Hot Kisses, from Friday, September 5 to Saturday, October 4, in the Sabai Pavilion, Times Square, Newcastle, NE1 4EP.This is the 16th UK tour by a production
Hotel India (BBC2, 8pm) FLY-ON-THE-WALL documentaries following staff in top hotels around the world always do well because, quite simply we're a nosey bunch. So let us go behind the scenes of India's oldest and most famous hotel, the Taj Mahal
YOUR reign is over, Harry. Oliver is king – of baby names, at least. I’m rather proud of the fact I named my son Oliver, and it’s now the most popular boys’ name. The downside is there’ll probably be several other Olivers in his class at school
“My daughter has just turned five and frequently says, ‘I don’t care about you’ to her family and friends and I’m dreading this turning into, ‘I hate you’. What’s the best way to deal with this behaviour to make her understand it’s unkind?” NAOMI
REMEMBER the days when getting kids properly fitted for shoes was the norm? Nowadays, they are growing up faster, following fashion and lusting after mini-me styles. And timepoor parents prefer the ease of grabbing a pair of shoes off the shelf
THERE has been some interesting recent correspondence in Hear All Sides about the Chart Show. I agree with those who believe it was wrongly named – in my opinion, it should have been Hitsville USA. I personally much prefer Motown USA to the
WHAT is the justification for the paltry fine given to Chubby Brown? The legal system at times seems barmy. A disabled pensioner has a puncture and, with the help of the public, manages to get his car in a safe place to change the wheel. However
HARRY Mead (Echo, August 13) is rightly aghast that a Bangladeshi double murderer is allowed to settle here on the basis of his right to family life. But the odd murderer is only a small part of the problem. Even before considering the effect of
IF I commence a project, whether making a fence or planting potatoes, I know how I will proceed and what the final successful outcome will be. I read (Echo, August 23) that Dr Sentamu is going to fast and pray for peace for six days. I am intrigued
WHY is it that millionaire celebrities expect people on modest incomes to give to charity? Do they actually put their hands in their pockets themselves, or is it just a big ego trip for them? Joyce Pattinson, Darlington
COLUMNIST and broadcaster Simon Jenkins wrote an article that underlines the thinking that would lead to the kind of human behaviour that would enable fair societies to be developed and maintained. If we cared to study the range of human beliefs
WITH regard to your report about bogus cash-point devices which are operating in North Yorkshire (Echo, August 25). Wouldn’t it be a good idea to have a customer care phone number on each cash machine, or in close proximity, so that malfunctions
I AM amazed at the amount of letters in H.A.S. regarding wars and trouble in the Middle East by a group of armchair generals. They have all the answers – they make Winston Churchill look like an amateur. I think they should be more hands-on
SINCE leaving Downing Street in June 2007 Tony Blair has accumulated untold wealth. Literally untold, since establishing its exact scale among a web of business enterprises centred on Mr Blair virtually defies analysis – at least outside HM Revenue
THE landmark sporting arena which stands on the outskirts of Darlington has had its ups and downs – but mainly downs. It has known some very low points indeed in the 11 years since George Reynolds got carried away with his ambitions as chairman
ZEBELINI gave Ilka Gansera- Leveque her first winner of the season when outrunning odds of 40-1 in the At The Races Sky 415 Maiden Fillies’ Stakes at Ripon. Possibly helped by oddson favourite Grand Beauty proving reluctant going into the stalls
ENGLAND are confident they have the right captain, and right methods, to take on India in the Royal London Series and on the journey to next winter’s World Cup. Joe Root spoke defiantly on the eve of the second oneday international in Cardiff in
JASON GILLESPIE is determined not to look too far ahead even though it is clear that winning a oneday trophy with Yorkshire would mean a great deal to him. Gillespie, who earned legendary status as an Australian fast bowler, won Test series galore
LUKE JAMES was back training with his Hartlepool United team-mates yesterday. The striker was absent from the training ground on three occasions last week and was left out of the squad for the weekend win at Wimbledon. Amid interest from Peterborough
Full time: MK Dons 4 Man Utd 0 MK Dons boss Karl Robinson admitted he was as shocked as anybody after watching his League One team claim a stunning 4-0 win over Manchester United in the Capital One Cup. Louis van Gaal’s men are still looking
MORE than 130 businesses have signed a letter saying the business case for Scottish independence "has not been made".The signatories come from a variety of businesses including banking, mining, engineering, food, whisky, and technology.But lobby
NEWCASTLE may have broken their goal duck this season but boss Alan Pardew says there is still work to be done up front. After being shut out by Manchester City and Aston Villa in the Premier League, a trip to Gillingham in the Capital One Cup
AS the North-East emerges from the recession, and is once more on the road to economic recovery, only now are we beginning to see real growth in our local industries, writes Jonathan Townsend, Regional Director, North of England, The Prince’s TrustHowever
STOCKTON-BASED mechanics North Eastern 4x4 have expanded their team by taking on a newly-qualified apprentice.Jack Errington, 21 from Norton, completed his apprenticeship as a motor vehicle technician with Hartlepool College, achieving an Advanced Level
ENGLAND captain Katy McLean wants to remain at Darlington Mowden Park Sharks, despite her impending move south to become a full-time athlete with the Rugby Football Union.After leading England to World Cup glory in Paris ten days ago, South Shields fly-half
DURING his first summer as Sunderland’s head coach, Gus Poyet spoke to a number of supporters about their favourite matches from last season. He expected the historic 2-1 win at Stamford Bridge to feature heavily in discussions, but it didn’t.
Goals: 1-0: Tomlin (51, curled a precise free-kick past a motionless Jones from 22 yards out) 1-1: Hugill (54, headed home at the back post after King had flicked on Hayhurst’s cross) 2-1: Clarke (og, 57, turned Adomah’s cross into his
This month marks the start of the two-year countdown to the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. With the current Olympic cycle now past the halfway stage, the Road To Rio column assesses the progress of ten of our leading hopes for the Games Kat Copeland
WHEN I became a member of NECC, I was encouraged to network within the organisation and meet like-minded business people, says Jo Hand. One of the people I was strongly urged to meet was Nickie Gott from events management company She’s Got It.
AM ambitious apprentice site manager has a promising career ahead of him after being shortlisted for the National Apprenticeship Awards.Liam Harrison, from Durham, is through to the regional finals of the highly competitive awards. The high flyer has
WHEN members of the All Blacks squad step out onto the pitch in Darlington in October next year, it will complete a remarkable turnaround in fortunes for the town's arena. Left with an uncertain future by the departure of Darlington FC following
TO welcome the All Blacks, The Northern Echo is challenging the people of the North-East to set a world record for the biggest-ever haka. A haka is an ancient M?ori war dance traditionally used on the battlefield, as well as when groups came together
THE lush green pitch at Mowden was just one of the factors in the club's successful bid to be named as an official team base for the rugby World Cup. An indoor training barn at Middlesbrough FC's training ground in Hurworth is part of the package
LABOUR has demanded tougher regulations before ‘fracking’ is allowed to go ahead, to give people “confidence” that the technology is safe.Amendments were tabled to a parliamentary Bill to strengthen protections against water contamination
A WOULD-BE store robber fled empty-handed when confronted by the joint owner, who flung a pile of newspapers in his direction. Liam Aaron Dann, 19, entered the Late Shopper in Evenwood, near Bishop Auckland, carrying what was described as a large
IT may come as a shock to most people’s preconceptions – but it seems the very first trainspotter belonged to an age when the anorak hadn’t even been heard of. In fact the modern stereotype of a true ‘spotter couldn’t be further from the origins
A CAR parts maker is working with German students to give them an insight into the industry.Nifco UK, in Eaglescliffe, near Stockton, welcomed Bianca Meffert and Samuel Baglio from Siemens AG Energy Sector.The pair, a technical product designer and electrical
A NUMBER of cars are reported to be alight at a scrapyard in Sacriston, County Durham (Tuesday).County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue say they have received several calls about the incident.
A 47-YEAR-OLD mother terminally ill with cigarette-related lung cancer has made an emotional video plea for North-East smokers to quit. Michelle Barthram, from Birtley, near Gateshead, was diagnosed with an aggressive form of small cell lung cancer
