The Northern Echo

Back From the Brink

Fears for Jobs in Orange Merger

MORE than 6,000 call centre and shop workers across the North- East faced an uncertain future last night after two mobile phone operators announced plans to merge. Unions expressed fears there could be job losses among Orange and T-Mobile's 19,000 strong UK workforce if the firms, which run large call centres in Darlington and Sunderland, go ahead with the merger plan.

Diabetic Driver Had No Memory of Crash

A DIABETIC driver who "ploughed" into two cyclists had low blood sugar at the time and could not remember anything of the crash, an inquest heard yesterday. The hearing, at Chester-leStreetMagistrates' Court, was told that that the diabetic former policewomanmade no attempt to brake or avoid the two cyclists and carried on driving after the collision.

Dog Walker Is Airlifted to Safety After 30ft Ravine Fall

A WALKER sparked a twohour rescue mission yesterday after falling 30ft down a ravine as he tried to save his dog. The 35-year-old man, from Middlesbrough, was trying to reach his dog, who had fallen down an embankment next to Skelton Beck, Saltburn, east Cleveland, when he slipped.

Heading for Front Line of War Against Terrorism

Members of 2nd Battalion The Yo rkshire Regiment (Green Howards) will arrive in Afghanistan today at the start of a six-month tour. Joe Willis joined them yesterday as they made their final preparations BAGS are packed, goodbyes have been said to loved ones and the buses are waiting to take the soldiers to the airport.

Jazz Band Marches to World Glory

A JAZZ band that was formed less than a decade ago has marched to success in a top competition. Shildon Jubilee Jazz Band, in County Durham, beat troupes from across the UK to win a title at the World Championships.

Region Trials Liquid Explosive Detectors

SCANNERS developed in the North-East to help in the fight against terrorism and ease airline restrictions are being trialled at airports around the world. The devices, made at NETPark in County Durham, use X-ray technology to detect the presence of explosive liquids.

Doctors Urge Alcohol Ads Ban

DOCTORS are calling for a total ban on alcohol advertising, including sponsorship of sporting events. A tough package of measures is needed to "tackle the soaring cost of alcohol-related harm", says the British Medical Association, which also urges an end to promotional deals such as happy hours and two-for-one offers.

Man Confronts Gang with Kitchen Knife

A MAN took a kitchen knife into the street and threatened to stab a gang who had kicked down his door, a court heard. An incident that started in Darlington nightclub Escapade ended at Adam James Parks' home, and culminated in the 19-year-old confronting people with a knife.

Tigers Need Sponsors for Their 'New Dawn'

A JUNIOR rugby club has issued a plea for sponsorship after relocating its home ground. From now on, the Bishop Auckland-based Durham Tigers Rugby League Club will play its home games at St John's Catholic School, in Woodhouse Lane, Bishop Auckland.

Artist to Put Work On Display for Show

A NORTH-EAST artist has been making his mark by depicting images of towns and cities in Britain. So far, Matthew Ellwood, 27, has painted what he describes as towers of Corbridge, Newcastle and London. He is working on a Tower of Durham City and has signed up to produce a similar work of Gateshead.

Quarry to Turn Into Nature Reserve and Farm

PLANS to turn a disused quarry into a nature reserve and farmland have been approved by councillors. The Lafarge Aggregates scheme for Beechburn Farm Quarry, in Witton Park, near Bishop Auckland, was backed by Durham County Council's county planning committee yesterday. Lafarge, formerly Steetley Quarry, excavated sand and gravel from the quarry between 1988 and 1992.

Crook Grassroots

-01388-768551 LEEK WINNERS: The results from the Green Tree pub leek show, in Howden-le-Wear, were: Pot leek winner - Tommy Tazey who died a few weeks ago; overall winner - Dennis Jones 55pts; 2 Dave Quinn 45; 3 Paul Longstaff 17.

Show Results

The 230th Wolsingham Show, in County Durham THE main winners were: Horticulture - The Scotch Isle Trophy: G Parsons; The JF Humble Trophy: G Parsons; The W Findlay Trophy for most points in flowers: F and T Bell; The Garden News Shield for most points in vegetables: K Richardson; The Eric Parkin Memorial Bowl for most points in show: F and T Bell; The William Lambert Trophy for best stand of chrysanthemums in members section: T Hogg; The George Gill Memorial Shield for best medium decorative ...

Town's Troublemakers 'Will Not Be Tolerated'

POLICE in Thirsk are warning troublemakers that the new zero- tolerance approach to drug users and anti-social behaviour in the town could lead to bans from pubs and bars. A high-visibility crackdown in Thirsk's Market Place has been co- ordinated by North Yorkshire Police and the Pubwatch system in an attempt to curb some of the problems caused by drinking and drugs.

School Achieves Best-Ever Results

A NORTH YORKSHIRE school hoping to be taken out of special measures is celebrating its best-ever GCSE results. Almost 70 per cent of pupils at TheWensleydale School, in Leyburn, achieved at least five A* to C grades.

Exhibition of Creative Textiles

A NEW, free exhibition has opened at the Dales Countryside Museum, in Hawes. A Stitch in Paradise is being presented by the Textile Art Pool - a group of northern artists which formed while studying creative textiles in 1994.

Summer School Eases Their Move

PRIMARY school pupils have been given a taste of life at big school. Year six youngsters from the Catterick area attended a summer school designed to ease the move from primary to secondary education. About 25 youngsters took part in the initiative at Risedale Sports and Community College, Hipswell, between Richmond and Catterick.

Appeal for Volunteers to Support Victims

VOLUNTEERS are needed to help support victims of crime at home and at court in North Yorkshire. Victim Support has more than 130 volunteers in North Yorkshire but it needs more helpers to join its ranks.

North Yorkshire News Round-Up in Brief

Town hall to host Stompers THE Swale Valley Stompers and the newly-formed NorthallertonWoodwind Ensemble are to perform in Northallerton Town Hall on Saturday, November 14, at 7.30pm. Tickets are [pounds]10, which includes refreshments, and are available from Greensleeves music shop, or by calling 01609-772620. All proceeds go to Macmillan Cancer Support.