The Northern Echo

Lecturer Killed by Classroom Cancer

THE widow of a former chemistry lecturer who died as a result of the experiments he performed during his classes has secured a significant legal victory. Mary Sellwood's husband, Jim, was a senior lecturer at York St John University from 1963 to 1975. He died in November 2008 from mesothelioma, a type of cancer caused by exposure to asbestos.

Climbers Tackle Tragedy Waterfall by Searchlight

CLIMBERS were seen tackling a frozen waterfall by searchlight only hours after it claimed the life of a NorthEast man. Dave Church, 54, of Shildon, County Durham, died on Boxing Day when he fell 80ft in the Howgill Fells, on the border of the Lake District and the Yorkshire Dales.

Daughter Tracks Down Mum 68 Years After Her Adoption

A MOTHER has been reunited with her daughter nearly 70 years after giving her up for adoption. Rena Ward, who turned 100 in November, last saw her daughter in 1942, when she was three months old.

Collie to Flower at Festival

A SCHOOLGIRL and her pet collie are preparing to compete in the world's biggest dog show. Samantha Paterson, ten, and border collie Rooney will compete in the agility and jumping sections at Crufts, to be held at the NEC, in Birmingham, in March.

Blaise in a Trail to Meet Buzz, Woody, Mickey and Co

A BRAVE four-year-old who underwent major surgery to remove part of a brain tumour is looking forward to a dream holiday at Disneyland. Blaise Etheridge-Clarke is heading to the US with his family having just finished a year-long bout of chemotherapy following the surgery.

'Hold Your Nerve', Families in Property Investigation Urged

TENANTS threatened with eviction after being caught up in an alleged buy-and-rentback property scam are being urged to hold their nerve. More than 100 North-East families were told by a High Court judge that their homes could be repossessed - despite being potential victims of fraud.

Dog Trainer's Bid to Reopen Rescue Centre

A DOG trainer wants to reopen an animal rescue centre that has been closed for two years - but needs investors to help buy the [pounds]725,000 property. Aaron Malcolm, from Darlington, was the former kennelmanager at Ramshaw Rescue Centre, near Bishop Auckland, but left a year before it closed.

Parents Facing Wait On Proposal for 'Free School'

CAMPAIGNERS hoping to win Government support for a new type of school will not find out if they have been successful until late next month. Residents in Ingleby Barwick, near Stockton, set up a campaign group, Barwick's Own Second Secondary School (BO2SS), and have applied to the Government for a [pounds]10m "free school" in the town.

City School Places Battle to Begin Again

PARENTS, politicians and education chiefs are braced for another round of bitter argument over which children should get into one of the region's best state schools. The admissions criteria for Durham Johnston School have been controversial since the top-performing Durham City comprehensive was rebuilt at a cost of [pounds]23.8m, a project finished last year.

Chip Off the Old Block

Rock & Chips (BBC1, 9pm) Arena: Rolf Harris Paints His Dream (BBC2, 9pm)

Lack of Capital Gains Is a Familiar Sight for Magpies

Tottenham Hotspur 2 Newcastle United 0

Boss Pardew Wants to Bring in New Players

ALAN Pardew has admitted yesterday's 2-0 defeat at Tottenham underlined the need for Newcastle United to make reinforcements during the January transfer window. Second-half goals from Aaron Lennon and Gareth Bale condemned Pardew's side to their second defeat in the space of three days, and plunged the Magpies back into the bottom half of the table for the first time since Chris Hughton was dismissed at the start of the month.

Boro Solve Their Travel Sickness with the Lita and Wheater Show

Preston North End 1 Middlesbrough 3

Key People in Post at Turbine Factory

RECRUITMENT has begun for a wind turbine production factory which will bring 400 jobs to the Tees Valley. Construction started this month on the [pounds]20m TAG Energy Solutions facility at Haverton Hill, in Billingham, near Stockton.

Quick Step to Success

TWO dancers have picked up a plethora of silverware at regional competitions despite only taking up the discipline seven months ago. Eloise Ross, 13, and Rebecca Evans, 14, have won dance trophies from competitions in Nottingham, Leeds, Newcastle, Hull and Redcar. The girls dance together in pairs and also do solo routines although both have previously done other styles.

Network Set Up to Protect Services

A COUNCILLOR is hoping to fend off future problems caused by budget cuts in the Yorkshire Dales by setting up a grassroots network to protect the area. Councillor John Blackie, who covers the Upper Dales area for North Yorkshire County Council, is behind the scheme.

Emma has a Blast On Work Experience at Corrie Studio

A NORTH-EAST student's work experience placement went with a bang when she helped to blow up Coronation Street. Special effects student Emma McGranaghan helped to build the pyrotechnics for the soap's much-anticipated 50th anniversary edition disaster while on placement from Bolton University with explosive engineering company Event Horizons.

Mystery Illness Mum Awaits Test Results

A YOUNG mother hopes to receive news soon about a mystery brain condition after she was admitted to hospital for tests. Katie Spinks suffers from multiple fits, which cause memory loss and can make her forget how to do simple tasks.

Plans for Town Centre Redevelopment Due

DEVELOPERS are working on plans for the third phase of a major refurbishment project, but warn of a quiet year ahead on the ground. Freshwater, the private company that owns Newton Aycliffe town centre, is midway through redeveloping the area.

No Change in Cuts to Council Budget

PROPOSED annual cuts to council services in Darlington are not expected to change following a Government announcement. Senior councillors will vote next month on savings of [pounds]13.8m per year, as Darlington Borough Council seeks to reduce its annual budget by [pounds]22m by 2014.