The Northern Echo

Army Takes Down 'Mosque Targets'

THE Ministry of Defence (MoD) started to dismantle models of mosques built on an Army firing range last night after being accused of helping to radicalise young Muslims. North-East Islamic groups had condemned the seven cutouts erected onmilitary ranges on Bellerby Moor, near Leyburn, North Yorkshire.

Body of Kayaker Is Recovered From River

Tributes have been paid after a teenage kayaker from the region drowned in a fast-flowing river in Scotland on Wednesday. His body was finally recovered yesterday, more than 24 hours after rescuers began their battle with the turbulent rapids. Danni Webb reports THE body of a teenage kayaker who drowned after becoming trapped under a rock in a fast-flowing river was recovered last night.

Retiring Farmer's in a Slurry to Sell a Local Landmark

A ROADSIDE landmark will go under the hammer today after entertaining passing motorists for almost a decade. A rusting slurry tanker was painted with the slogan Government Think Tank by farmer Roy Smith in 2001.

Lords Back Ban On Use of Sunbeds by Under-18s

PEOPLE under-18 will be banned from using sunbeds after the House of Lords approved the Sunbed Regulation Bill, just ahead of the dissolution of Parliament. The new law will mean that The Northern Echo's campaign to ban youngsters from tanning booths has been successful two years after it started.

Blood Found in House Is From Mandy

BLOOD found inside a house came from a missing agoraphobic woman who had not left her home for more than 13 years, police confirmed yesterday. The confirmation has raised concerns that Mandy Bishop may have suffered an injury and could be in need of medical attention.

Controversy Grows Over Plans for Airfield

THE owner of an airfield said last night he would consider dropping planning appeals to extend his site - if new, scaleddown plans are approved. Martin Scott, the owner of Bagby Airfield, near Thirsk, has been trying to develop the land for nearly three years.

Women Bus Drivers En Route for a Record

TEESSIDE has more female bus drivers than any other area of the North-East. More than 15 per cent of drivers at Stagecoach North-East, in Stockton, are women and this figure is expected to rise as recruitment takes place.

'Health Tax'angers Allotment Holders

A TOWN council that was awarded [pounds]9m to make residents more healthy has angered allotment holders, who have seen their rents spiral without warning. Middlesbrough Mayor Ray Mallon is being urged to rethink a decision to increase annual charges, which came into effect this week.

Trial Told of Failing Health After Marriage Collapse

A MURDER trial jury heard yesterday how a spurned husband's health deteriorated after his ten-year marriage collapsed. The full details of the divorce petition lodged by cheating wife Katrina Jones were also publicly revealed for the first time.

Masks in Memory of Margaret

MORE than a year after a woman died in a North-East hospice, her niece has organised a charity ball which aims to raise [pounds]5,000. Clair McGregor, who runs the Party Godmother shop, in Railway Street, Bishop Auckland, has sold nearly 300 tickets at [pounds]25 each for a Grand Masquerade Ball in memory of her aunt, Margaret Bowman.

Blind Say Market Place Plan Is Accident Waiting to Happen

Plans for Durham's Market Place have again come under fire as work is about to begin. Mark Tallentire reports A MULTI-MILLION pound market place makeover will finally get under way later this month, it has been announced.

Thief Locked Up After Stealing From Her Family

A HEARTLESS serial thief who stole from almost every member of her immediate family has been jailed. Stephanie Swanston stole from her mother, father, two grandfathers, uncle and even her ex-boyfriend's father.

Serial Success

The Mentalist (Five, 9pm) Dispatches: Tracing the Marathon's Millions (C4, 8pm)

Theatrecritics

PopStar! An X-cellent Musical Darlington Civic Theatre

Theatrecritics

Orchestra of Opera North The Sage Gateshead

Hospice Dazzled by Jewellers' Gift

A [pounds]1,500 diamond has been donated to a black tie charity dinner, which is being held in aid of a NorthEast hospice. Freeman Jewellers, in Yarm, near Stockton, is giving the cut loose jewel after hearing about the work of the Butterwick Hospice.

Audience Helps Launch Theatre Tickets Incentive

THE stars of a new show have helped to launch a North-East theatre's ticket offer. The cast of PopStar! The Musical, which is being staged at Darlington Civic Theatre, helped launch the tickets offer by meeting a group which had booked to see the show.

Prisoner Arrested Over Jail Glass Attack Inquiry

DETECTIVES investigating an alleged prison glass attack in which three officers were injured have made an arrest. Craig Wylde lost the use of his left hand and two colleagues were hurt after an inmate, said to be killer Kevan Thakrar, were allegedly attacked with a broken vinegar bottle in top-security Frankland Prison, near Durham City, on Saturday, March 13.

We're Not Selling Up, Say Angry Restaurant Owners

THE owners of one of the region's most renowned pub restaurants have angrily denied rumours they are selling their business to a television celebrity. They say the stories are "damaging and totally unfounded" and are threatening their business - the Michelin starred Star Inn, at Harome, near Helmsley, North Yorkshire.

Former Tv Gladiator Unveils River Rat Race

A FORMER TV Gladiator launched a new adventure challenge for this summer. Diane Youdale was at the River Tees, in Stockton, yesterday for the unveiling of the River Rat Race, which is taking place on August 29 as part of this year's Take to the Tees event in the town.