The Northern Echo

Don' T Own Up - Just Rot in Jail

THE parents of murdered shopworker Jenny Nicholl last night said it might be "better for society" if her killer continues to deny his guilt because it means he will stay in prison. On the fourth anniversary of the teenager's disappearance, Brian and Ann Nicholl revealed how the Glastonbury festival helped them remember their music-loving daughter.

They Said Break a Leg, but Maybe Not Like This

A TEENAGE performer showed his star quality when he refused to quit after breaking his foot during rehearsals for a West End theatre show. Theo Close, from Darlington, fell badly during dance rehearsals for a variety show at Her Majesty's Theatre, in London, but carried on without alerting anyone to his injury or complaining, because he did not want to let the production down.

Schoolgirl Comes to Rescue On Scooter

A QUICK-THINKING ten year-old rode amobility scooter half a mile to rescue her stricken great-granddad after he suffered an angina attack. Kyra Young became concerned for 89-year-old Jack Atkinson after he failed to return home after taking his dog, Panyo, for a walk.

Artist Flees Turkey in Artwork Insult Row

AN artist cleared of insulting the Turkish Prime Minister has fled the country amid reports the case against him has been reopened. Michael Dickinson faced the prospect of up to two years in a Turkish jail after his collage showing Tayyip Erdogan as a dog led to a criminal prosecution.

Escapologist Promotes Brass Festival

A BRASS music festival was launched yesterday by a leading escapologist. David Straitjacket held crowds in awe in Durham Market Place as he encouraged people to visit the Brass Durham International Festival.

Smuggler Hid [Pounds]750,000 of Cocaine in Jaguar Petrol Tank

A DRUGS smuggler has been jailed for nine years after he was caught with 17kg of cocaine. Jobless Paul Simon Stephens, from Darlington, was caught with the drugs after officials stopped a Jaguar car he was driving when it arrived at Dover on a ferry from Calais in April.

Youngsters Turning Plastic Into Furniture

Business Tax Scrapped for Year to Ease Crunch

MORE than 100 small businesses will benefit from a district council scheme to help them through the recession. Members of Hambleton District Council have agreed to allocate [pounds]55,000 to a project that will help rural pubs, cafes, shops and petrol stations.

Children Welcome Official School Opening

CHILDREN at a school have celebrated the official opening of their building. Pupils, staff and governors at Seascape Primary School, in Ellison Road, Peterlee, watched as Durham County Councillor Audrey Laing performed the opening ceremony.

Actors Fit in Extra Matinee Performance

THEATRE stars took an afternoon away from the limelight to open a summer fete. Leslie Grantham and Helen Weir, who have been appearing on stage at Darlington Civic Theatre, opened the event at George Dent Nursery School, on Saturday.

Parents Must Break the Cycle of Obesity

PARENTS are being urged to help a campaign to reduce the number of obese children in Darlington. Health officials told a council meeting that a culture of obesity ran from generation to generation.

Thieves Steal School Goalposts

THIEVES have stolen a set of goalposts from school playing fields. Staff at South Bank Primary School saw the posts in the garden of a nearby property, but by the time police arrived, they had gone.

Judge Tells Teenage Thug to 'Grow Up'

ATEENAGE thug has walked free from court with a warning that if he does not "grow up", he will end up behind bars. Recorder Keith Miller said it was depressing that Carl Foley could not get his life together.

Blackboard Jungle Will Hold No Fears

PUPILS at a Darlington primary school are discovering the great outdoors to help them prepare to move up to their new classes in September. More than 400 pupils, aged from three to 11 from Alderman Leach Primary School, have been taking part in outdoor activities at Brancepeth Woods, including art, bush craft, navigation, survival and development games.

Milburn: Who Will Stand Now?

A SUCCESSOR to Alan Milburn as Darlington's Labour parliamentary candidate could take up to four months to find. Discussions have yet to start to find someone to replace Mr Milburn, who announced his decision to stand down on Saturday.

Anger As Travellers Leave Rubbish at Site

TRAVELLERS who set up camp near a County Durham village left a "disgraceful" mess when they left at the weekend. Rubbish, overturned portable toilets and gas canisters could be seen strewn across the stretch of land in Close House, near Bishop Auckland, yesterday.

Leader and Comment

Health Editor Barry Nelson talks to police about their efforts to reduce under-age drinking including targeting the people who sell alcohol to children or buy it for them WHEN it comes to children being admitted to hospital because of drink, the North-East is near the top of the pile. Darlington has the unenviable record of having the second highest number of under18s admitted to hospital in England.

Pensioner Spared Jail for Sex Assaults

A PENSIONER arrested for child sex offences dating back 23 years after one of his victims spotted him at a funeral was spared jail yesterday. Donald Ward, 67, admitted indecent assaults on two schoolgirls in Tow Law, County Durham, between 1986 and 1997.

Children's Hospice Celebrates Five Years

A NORTH-EAST children's hospice released balloons into the sky to mark its fifth anniversary. Zoe's Place, in Middlesbrough, invited families and their friends to enjoy a party on Saturday.

Today 'Stv & Radio

CSI: -Miami (Five, 9pm) World's Best Diet (ITV, 8pm)