Ramsdens, the UK’s largest independent pawnbroker, has announced major expansion plans after securing £15 million in new financing from HSBC’s Corporate Banking team in Yorkshire and the North East. Having achieved a £50 million turnover in 2011 – a year-on-year growth of 52% and four times its 2008 turnover of £13 million –...

County Durham residents are being reminded to recycle their old television sets, if replacing them for the digital switchover. Switch over begins in the Tyne Tees region (which includes County Durham) between 12th and 26th September. Television services are going digital and all analogue services will be switched off. From this date...

Brodie Millichap picks out this week’s TV highlights… Five Picks Of The Week New Tricks: Monday 9pm, BBC1. New episode of the popular drama sees Sandra and the team investigate an apparent suicide of a Foreign Office diplomat. The victim’s body was found in a frozen lake but her relatives believe that her boss is responsible. Can...

Some local media outlets might ignore them, but we don’t! Aycliffe Today brings you comprehensive coverage of Newton Aycliffe’s 1-0 win at home to Marske United in the Ebac Northern League first division. Click on the links below to see our match report, action pictures, post-match video reaction and up-to-date league table, results...

By Martin Walker Three Newtonians will attempt a gruelling fundraising race today. Neil Cooper, Richard Elgie and Jimmy Tague are attempting the Paras 10 Challenge, a 10-mile endurance race on the Parachute regiment selection course at Catterick Garrison. Competitors must complete the race in army boots and combat trousers, carrying a...

Newton Aycliffe FC have a dream matchday trip to Old Trafford up for grabs as part of their next big fundraising event. The club have managed to secure a VIP day for four people at Manchester United’s Champions League game against Braga, on Wednesday 23rd October. The package, which includes matchday hospitality, players’ lounge...

Newton Aycliffe Youth Centre FC chairman Berni Borsberry brings us a detailed round-up from his side’s start to the new season… The new season for the football club started with the girls on Saturday. First up the under 11 girls at their central venue starting their first season of competitive football playing local rivals Bishop...

By Martin Walker Newton Aycliffe Cricket Club’s first team were beaten by three wickets against Belmont on Saturday. Chris Palmer’s side were bowled out for 120 from just over 37 overs at Aycliffe Sports Club. But it took Durham side Belmont 36 overs to chalk up 121, with three wickets to spare, to claim victory in the North-East...

Colin McNeillie’s gallery of action pictures from Newton Aycliffe’s 1-0 win at home to Marske United... ...

Newton Aycliffe climbed off the bottom of the Ebac Northern League first division with their first win of the season on Saturday. Paul Broom's 55th-minute goal gave the Newtonians that elusive victory, which is hoped will be a springboard for Aycliffe's season. The win lifts Aycliffe up to 22nd (third off bottom), while Darlington 1883...