The Northern Echo

Council May Pay [Pounds]300 - for Badges

COUNCILLORS are considering spending nearly [pounds]300 of public money on badges for four female members - but they do not yet know where the money will come from. The badges cost [pounds]10.95 each, but with aminimum purchase of 25 the total price would be [pounds]273.75, equating to [pounds]68.43 each for the four badges.

Town Can Go Online for an Experiment in Time

In1825, an 'Experiment' was launched which was to catapult a North-East town onto the global stage. David Roberts learns about a new project which aims to, once again, focus the eyes of the world on Darlington AS Locomotion No 1 trundled along the Stockton to Darlington Railway, it pulled behind something resembling a shed on wheels.

Mother's Instinct Tells Me Claudia's Still Alive

THE mother of missing chef Claudia Lawrence has told of her sadness as she prepares for another family celebration without her daughter. Joan Lawrence told The Northern Echo that her instincts tell her the 35-year-old is still alive.

Accounts Differ in Fatal Accident Trial

THE jury in the trial of a deathcrash police officer has heard differing accounts of where his van and the victim's car were at the time of the collision. Accident investigation expert Steve Garner said a reconstruction showed PC Thomas Hart's Vauxhall Vivaro had crossed to the wrong side of the road.

Blast of Creativity in Market Square

ORGANISERS of a multimedia event in which more than 1,000 people took part have praised Darlington's youngsters. The aim of BBC Blast held in the Market Square, was to provide young people with training, inspiration and ideas for a career in creative media.

Knifeman Threatened to Kill His Neighbour

A CONVICTED knifeman threatened to kill his neighbour during a violent rampage, a court was told yesterday. Adam Mackay also smashed the man's van after he refused to let him borrow it so he could drive to Teesside to buy drugs.

Warning of Bogus Hygiene Inspectors

FOOD shop and restaurant owners have been warned to be on their guard after bogus hygiene inspectors conned money from unsuspecting businesses. Darlington Borough Council's environmental health team said bogus food inspectors have been targeting restaurant and food shop owners around the country, posing as food standards staff making inspections.

Owner Fears for Safety of Missing Dog

A WOMAN is appealing for information about her lost dog which needs medication on a weekly basis. Reggie, a one-and-a-half year-old Jack Russell, went missing while it was playing with two other dogs in a field at Clearwater Creek, near the Foresters' Arms, at Coatham Mundeville, outside Darlington.

Dj Calls for Help with Online Radio Project

A POPULAR Crook pub DJ is appealing for help with his online radio project. The King's Head's Chris Burns, 49, wants presenters and producers to pitch in with Wear Radio - an internet project for people who live in Wear Va lley.

Town Centre Bank Is to Close

A TOWN centre bank has confirmed it will be closing its doors later this year with no hope of an alternative branch being opened. The HSBC, formally Midland Bank, will close its branch in Beveridge Way, Newton Aycliffe, on December 11.

Police Search Forman Who Took Gammon

A CCTV image of a man police want to trace in connection with a shoplifting offence has been released. At about 4.15pm on Sunday, August 23, a man entered the Co-op store, in Church Street, Shildon.

Dorothy Is a Smooth Operator

A FOOD lover who hates waste has created a winning recipe to freshen up old fruit and stop people binning it. Dorothy Veitch, from Sedgefield, won a smoothie recipe competition run by Durham County Council.

Charity Concert Is for Friends

Award Raises Staff Morale

A DOCTOR'S practice that serves neighbouring villages has been given a clean bill of health. Dr Jones and Partners secured a Quality Practice Award from the Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) which recognises a high standard of patient care from every member of the practice team.

South Durham News Round-Up in Brief

New members for centre stage A THEATRE group in Shildon is looking for members. The Centre Stage Theatre Group needs people to help on and offstage in the run- up to this year's pantomime, Cinderella. The production starts in the Civic Hall, in Shildon, at the end of November, before moving to the Mainsforth and Ferryhill Community Centre for a four-day run at the start of December.

North Yorkshire News Round-Up in Brief

Support group to hold meeting THE annual meeting of Hambleton and Richmondshire Advocacy, a group which offers support to vulnerable people, will be held on Friday, October 30, at 10.30am, in Northallerton Methodist Church hall. For details, call 01609-778652 or write to Hambleton and Richmondshire Advocacy, 6 Flints Terrace, Pottergate, Richmond DL10 7AH.

Chance to Learn in the Great Outdoors

YOUNGSTERS returned from their summer holidays to find that learning could be more fun. They discovered an outdoor classroom, complete with a traditional "den", role-play area, tree seats, sand-pit and waterplay pool.

Praise for 'Excellent' Housing Scheme

SENIOR housing officials have visited a rural extra care housing scheme that their organisation helped to fund. Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) was a major funder of Sycamore Court, in Bainbridge, near Hawes.

Locals Can Have Say On Creative Centre

RESIDENTS will be able to give their views on an arts and creative "hub" being planned near Scotch Corner. A stable block at Sedbury Hall will be developed to create office and studio accommodation, a workshop, and a display and art exhibition space.

Choristers Find It's Better by Bus

PUPILS can travel in style to sing at Ripon Cathedral after a school took ownership of a new minibus. The Cathedral Choir School, Ripon, has received the bus which sports the school's livery.