The Northern Echo

Escape Drama As Floods Hit House

THUNDERSTORMS and flash floods wreaked havoc across the North- East last night. Homes throughout Teesdale were left without power after hundreds of lightning strikes disrupted electricity supplies.

Inquiry Called for Over Second Failed Franchise in Two Years

THE East Coast Main Line is to be run by the Government after National Express refused to fund the loss-making rail franchise beyond the next few months. With National Express stating funding for East Coast would run out later this year, a public organisation has been set up - East Coast Main Line Company - which will operate the line.

Teenager Beaten by Gang of Up to Ten Men

A TEENAGER was dragged from his car and beaten unconscious by a gang of up to ten men as he went to meet his girlfriend after her school prom. Sean Hodgson was so badly beaten in the unprovoked attack that his parents did not initially recognise him.

Family Shocked As Ferrets Stolen

A FAMILY is in shock after their pet ferrets were snatched from their hutch in the middle of the night. The furry pair, named Starsky and Hutch, were taken from a back garden in Brankin Drive, Darlington, as their owners slept on Sunday night.

Shoplifter Was Caught by Store Security

A SHOPLIFTER with eight previous convictions for theft was arrested after security staffat a clothes store caught her with a bag of stolen goods worth nearly [pounds]200. Barbera Michiala Duncan was stopped by security guards in New Look in Darlington's Cornmill Centre, on a Saturday afternoon last month.

Man Denies Counterfeit Item Charges

AMAN accused of possession of counterfeit goods worth more than [pounds]70,000 has denied all charges. Mark Errington Simmons, 37, was arrested in July last year. Police said he had hundreds of fake designer products, including sunglasses, handbags and trainers.

Pupils Rewarded by Stunt-Riders

CHAMPION stunt-riders performed for North-East pupils to reward them for taking their bikes to school. Mountain bike trial champions Ben Slinger and Danny Butler visited Darlington to show offtheir stunts.

Darlington News Round-Up in Brief

Tea party in aid of Marie Curie DARLINGTON Marie Curie Support Group is holding a tea party at Grange Road Baptist Church, in the conservatory, on Saturday, July 11, from 2pm to 4pm.

Majority Vote Against Academy Locations

RESIDENTS have delivered an overwhelming thumbs down to the suggestion an academy could be built on play and sports areas. More than 200 people attended an urgently arranged public meeting at Belmont School, in Durham, on Tuesday night, to have their say on possible locations for the proposed school.

Retired Race Dog Best On Day

A RETIRED race greyhound returned to the scene of some of his triumphs to scoop a different kind of prize. Boldon Fencer stole the show at Pelaw Grange Greyhound Stadium's third annual fun dog show on Sunday.

Campaigners Urge U-Turn Over School

A GROUP campaigning against the [pounds]7.3m move of a village school have urged councillors to rethink their position. Parents and governors objecting to the rebuild of Esh Winning Primary School, on the village green offWodlands Road, say it will create road safety problems and leave some pupils too far to travel.

Art Display Reflects Parish Campaign

ART inspired by a parish's floral planting campaign has gone on show. The display, in Belmont library, on the outskirts of Durham, features a selection of paintings produced by pupils at six primary schools in the Belmont parish area.

Weather Fails to Dent Proms Concert Enthusiasts

THE opening of a college's new campus was celebrated amidmuch pomp and circumstance. Despite drizzle, East Durham College's Proms in the Park event went ahead on the site of the [pounds]36m building, in Peterlee.

North Durham News Round-Up in Brief

Students plan Hadrian's walk ABOUT 30 current and past sixth-formers from the Hermitage School, in Chester-le-Street, plan to walk 84 miles along Hadrian's Wall from July 12 to 17 to raise money for the cancer ward at the Royal Victoria Infirmary, in Newcastle, Villa Real Special School, in Consett, and Aid to Burkina, a charity dedicated to helping people in Burkina Faso. The walk has become an annual event.

'Danger' Business Park Plans Gain Approval

"DANGEROUS" access plans for a new business park at Scotch Corner have been approved. The plans, which objectors say will mean large lorries crossing traffic on the A6108 dual carriageway, were backed at a meeting of Richmondshire District Council on Tuesday.

Festival to Attract Thousands

AN annual youth music and arts festival is being held from today. Culture Shock, now in its eighth year, is expected to attract thousands of young people between today and Saturday.

Inquest Is Told Ofman's Depression

AN inquest heard that a man found dead by a rail track had a history of depression and had previously tried to take his life. The body of Paul Williamson, 49, from East View, Northallerton, was found at the end of the northbound platform at Northallerton station by an off-duty police officer on the evening of March 5.

Youngsters Show Their Place in the World

PRIMARY school children are sharing their view of the world with patients in a doctor's surgery on an Army base. A group of year five children from Colburn Primary School took part in a photography project called Welcome to Our World.

Youth Disco Arranged

A DISCO is being held for young people in Catterick Garrison after bar managers decided not enough venues cater for teenagers. Louis Bar will host its first disco for 16 to 18-yearolds from 7pm to 11pm tonight. If successful, it will become a monthly event.

Firms Rescue Carnival

A COUNCILLOR has hailed the help of local businesses in saving a community event from the effects of the credit crunch. Northallerton Carnival will feature a funfair, street entertainers and charity stalls in the town's High Street from noon to 5pm on Sunday, July 12.