The Northern Echo

We're Ready for Swine Flu Crisis

NHS officials in the region last night sought to reassure the public after the Government warned there could be 100,000 new swine flu cases a day in Britain by the end of next month. Under emergency plans being drawn up by regional health chiefs, recently-retired doctors and nurses would be called in to help.

Lucky Dog Jess

A DOG that was swept away in Wednesday night's flash floods turned up safe and well yesterday. Neil Holcroft thought he had lost his three-year-old chocolate labrador Jess when she disappeared from the banks of the River Gaunless, near Bishop Auckland.

Time Team Stars Dig Into the Roman Way of Life

A TELEVISION crew is in the region filming for the new series of Channel 4's Time Team. The show, presented by actor To ny Robinson, explores archaeological sites across the UK.

Youth's Airgun Threats 'a Joke'in Chip Robbery

A TEENAGER has admitted robbing another youth of a handful of chips at gunpoint, to amuse his friends. During the incident, outside a Chinese takeaway restaurant in a village near Chester-le-Street, County Durham, an airgun was fired, but no one was hit.

Legal Threats in Waste Dispute

CAMPAIGNERS fighting plans for a waste incinerator say they have been threatened with court action by a council. North Yorkshire County Council has identified seven possible sites for an incinerator, including at Dalton, near Thirsk.

The Height of Fun

THE skies will be full of colour this weekend when hundreds of kites from all over the world take to the air over the North-East. Sunderland International Friendship Festival, featuring the Kite Festival, will be held from 11am tomorrow and on Sunday, on the Northern Area Playing Fields, Usworth, Washington, Wearside.

Titbits Entice Kittens From Combine Harvester

A LITTER of kittens has been rescued after surviving the first six weeks of their lives in a combine harvester. Farmers' wife Shane Dew spent more than a week trying to entice the three kittens, which were born in the harvester and nursed there for six weeks, out into the open after they were discovered by a farm hand.

All Aboard As Brown Pays Region a Visit

PRIME Minister Gordon Brown yesterday got a firsthand view of the East Coast Main Line during a whistlestop visit to the region. Mr Brown travelled on the line, which is to temporarily come under state ownership, stopping off in North Yorkshire and Northumberland.

Darlington News Round-Up in Brief

Three arrested in drugs raid CANNABIS plants with a street value running into tens of thousands of pounds were seized during police raids. Officers arrested three people in a house in Jesmond Road, Darlington, on Wednesday. More than 100 plants were discovered at the bungalow, in various states of production, in the bedroom, the shower room, the toilet and an upstairs room. Sophisticated growing equipment was also found.

Students Sample New Sports for Week

ULTIMATE frisbee, lacrosse and uni-hockey were among the sports pupils at a Darlington school have been sampling to mark National School Sports Week. Students at Hurworth Maths and Computing College, in Hurworth near Darlington, also tried out dodge ball and working out on dance mats.

Former Mayor Who 'Transcended Politics'

A FORMER mayor of Darlington, and a stalwart railwayman, has died aged 89. Joseph Paterson, better known as Joe, served as the town's civic leader in 1975.

Hear All Sides

CYCLING DANGERS THERE have been many debates about cyclists on pavements recently. However, I feel the need to send a plea on behalf of all road cyclists.

Study of Car Parking Woes

A RESIDENTS-ONLY parking scheme in a village could be requested by councillors. People living in Norton Crescent, Sadberge, near Darlington, say there are problems with parking near their homes. They fear the St Andrews Park development will make the problem worse.

Working Together to Improve Quality of Life

RESIDENTS, emergency services and housing officials have pledged to work together to tackle anti-social behaviour in part of Crook. Every household on theWa - tergaTeestate will receive a copy of the WatergaTeestate Neighbourhood Agreement, which was drawn up after residents identified the key issues affecting the estate.

Hear All Sides

BOUNDARY CHANGES I ATTENDED a Durham County Council meeting last month to discuss recommendations from the new unitary authority to the Boundary Committee of England over redrawing its electoral boundaries.

Dressing Up for a Night at the Proms

A BAND is to perform a first in a County Durham dale. A Proms-style concert at Unthank showfield, Stanhope, tomorrow, from 6pm, is the idea of Durham County Federation of Women's Institutes, which is funding the event.

Top-Class Referee Opens Pitch

CHEERS could be heard at a school on Wednesday as crowds gathered for the official opening of a football pitch. Former Fifa referee George Courtney was there to cut the ribbon at Willington's Parkside Sports College after The Football Foundation matchfunded [pounds]210,000 from the school for the all- weather ground.

South Durham News Round-Up in Brief

Appeal for car row witnesses POLICE in Sedgefield are appealing for help from people who watched a row between a motorist and a pedestrian on Sunday. It happened in the town centre, near the Black Lion pub, at about 8pm, after the driver of a silver car stopped in the middle of the road to talk to the man. PC Keith Todd said that a number of people were in the area at the time and saw what happened.

Pupils Delighted with New Sixth Form Centre

STUDENTS are celebrating the first phase of their school's [pounds]32m revamp. This week, pupils at Richmond School showed offtheir well- equipped sixth form centre to prospective students and their parents.

Hear All Sides

HUNTON PO FOLLOWING your article about Hunton post office, near Leyburn, and the BBC - "Postmaster 'insulted' over BBC's ad request" (Echo, July 1) - readersmight be interested to know that the nearest PayPoint where Hunton residents can pay for their TV licence is the Dalesman, in Hipswell Road, to the south of Catterick Garrision - just 2.5 miles from Hunton.