The Northern Echo

Going Wild

CHARITY begins at home in Emmerdale (ITV1). Unfortunately no one wants her there.

Talking Pictures

Norway and the Czech Republic are the new artists drawn to the third NewcastleGateshead Art Fair. Viv Hardwick talks to Mike Pederson and Chris Yeats about the weekend showcase

Rock On Ade!

Adrian Edmondson explains to Viv Hardwick why he's decided to switch from comedy to music and how he managed to get musicians to take him seriously THE Bottom line is that there will be no more Bottom, says Adrian Edmondson as he prepares to switch from anarchic comedy to performing his favourite punk rock songs on folk music instruments.

Classical

WHAT'S ON: Northern Sinfonia, conducted by Thomas Zehetmair, The Sage Gateshead, 7.30pm tomorrow. Haydn, Mahler and Brahms. Box office: 0191-443 4661. REVIEWS: Messiaen: Quartet for the End of Time (Deux-Elles DXL1133) The Fibonacci Sequence have produced a superlative account of Messiaen's work first played to an audience of 400 fellow prisoners of war. The slow movements for cello and piano and violin and piano are played with utter conviction and intensity.

Steve Pratt's Top 5

The Invention Of Lying (12A) After Ghost Town, Ricky Gervais goes to Hollywood again for a comedy he co-wrote, co-directed and stars in as a screenwriter living in an alternate reality where everyone tells the truth. When he discovers the art of lying his life changes.

Rain Man Stays Afloat

Almost drowning in debt, Rain Man star Neil Morrissey tells Viv Hardwick that he's determined to pay off his creditors I'LL be in debt until I'm over 50, " says Neil Morrissey in jokey fashion about his recent business disaster which saw him lose his life savings as he plunged [pounds]2.5m into the red as plans for a hotel chain in Wales collapsed.

Laughing All the Way to the Bank

After The Office and Extras, Ricky Gervais turned his pen and performing to Hollywood film scripts. Steve Pratt reports AS his latest US movie opens, The Office and Extras star Ricky Gervais reckons he still's amazed that he's a Hollywood favourite.

Cinema Reviews

Fame (PG) ** Stars: Debbie Allen, Charles S Dutton, Kelsey Grammer, Megan Mullally, Bebe Neuwirth,Asher Book, Kristy Flores, Paul Iacono, Paul McGill, Naturi Naughton, Kay Panabakr, Kherington Payne, Collins Pennie, Walter Perez, Anna Maria Perez De

Family in Terrorist Explosion to Get [Pounds]1m

THE family of a 21-year-old woman killed in a terrorist bomb attack in Turkey have been awarded more than [pounds]1m in compensation in a landmark legal case, it was revealed last night. Helyn Bennett, from Spennymoor, County Durham, was one of five people killed when an explosion ripped through a minibus packed with tourists in the popular resort of Kusadasi, in July 2005.

Concerns Mount As Hospital Axe Falls

THE controversial closure of a North-East hospital's accident and emergency department went ahead last night - despite warnings that it would have a devastating impact on the region's health service. Critics say the decision to scrap 24-hour emergency care at the [pounds]67m Bishop Auckland General Hospital will place an intolerable burden on hospitals in Darlington and Durham City.

Appeal Launched by Man Who Dismembered Victim

A FORMER North-East student who murdered a teenager and dismembered his body has launched an appeal against his conviction. Former Teesside Polytechnic student William Beggs, 45, was found guilty at the High Court in Edinburgh in October 2001, of killing Barry Wallace, 18, after sexually assaulting him.

Children Preparing for Spooky Charity Walk

SCHOOLCHILDREN have signed up for a spooky challenge to raise money for charity. Staff and pupils at St Bede's RC Primary School, in Sacriston, near Chester-le-Street, are taking part in a riverside HalloweenWalk, organised by Mencap.

Riders Saddle Up for World Record Bid

A RIDING school took part in a worldwide event yesterday aimed at promoting the sport's benefits for disabled people. Wear Valley Riding For The Disabled, at Three Lane Ends Farm, Escomb, near Bishop Auckland, hosted part of The World's Biggest Riding Lesson.

Death of Teenager 'Is Not Suspicious'

POLICE last night said there are no suspicious circumstances surrounding the death of a teenage girl on Monday night. Holly Fletcher, 15, was treated by paramedics after being found unwell at her mother's home in Shildon, County Durham, shortly after 7pm.

Hunt for 'Evil' Dog After Girl, Four, Attacked

A NORTH-EAST father is calling for a dog to be destroyed after it attacked his four-year-old daughter. Police are appealing for help tracing the black and white Staffordshire bull terrier and its owner after schoolgirl Eve Blackett needed hospital treatment.

Sam has High Hopes of Winning Contract

A TEENAGE singersongwriter has been hitting all the right notes after getting through to the regional finals of a national open mic competition. Sam Davies, from Darlington, has got through to the regional finals of Open Mic UK, an X Factor-style competition for acoustic artists.

Residents Say Speeding Still a Problem Despite Measures

MOTORISTS are still speeding on a road outside a school campus almost a decade after traffic calming measures were introduced. Residents in Whinfield have asked police and councillors to tackle issues of speeding in Salters Lane South and Barmpton Lane.

Views Sought On Dog Control Plans

VIEWS are sought on plans to clamp down on owners of unruly dogs. A Talking Together event was held in the town hall last night to gauge opinions on dog control orders, which would see tighter conditions imposed to tackle problems associated with dogs.

Traveller Children Tell Tales of Success

THREE children from Darlington's travelling community have been successful in a national storytelling competition To celebrate Gypsy Roma Traveller History Month in June, students from Carmel RC College, in Darlington, attended a workshop run by Alison Hughes from the Traveller Education Service and Pam Walls from the college. Following the workshop, which celebrated the diversity of traveller culture, the students entered a national storytelling competition.

Darlington News Round-Up in Brief

Two events for harvest festival TWO events are taking place in Hurworth Methodist Church. The monthly coffee morning on Saturday, October 10, is from 10am to 11am. Stalls include homemade cakes and bric-a-brac.