By Martin Walker Work on an exciting state-of-the-art indoor football facility in Newton Aycliffe is set to start within weeks. The £1.7m Soccer Factory is the brainchild of local entrepreneur Dan Lewis, who aims to open the new complex by the autumn. The 85,000 sq ft unit on Aycliffe Business Park, vacated by Thrislington in 2008,...

Seven men are due to appear before Magistrates at Newton Aycliffe on Friday morning to face drugs charges after early-morning raids on Wednesday. Police launched a major drugs operation to tackle a suspected heroin network near Newton Aycliffe on Wednesday morning. Nine people were arrested in the first part of the drugs crackdown in the...

By Martin Walker A man was found dead in Darlington by police last night. Officers were called to an address in Chandos Street on Wednesday evening, where they found the body of a 35-year-old man. He was found inside the house and pronounced dead. A spokesman for Durham Constabulary said the death was currently being treated as...

By Martin Walker A pensioner suffered a fractured leg and a head injury after a car collided with his mobility scooter in Darlington. The accident happened on Woodlands Road at around 3.30pm on Wednesday, and involved a Mini INI car. The car driver, a woman in her 50s from Bishop Auckland, was unhurt. The man was taken to nearby...

County Durham has been chosen as one of 10 areas to share in a £1m national fund to reduce alcohol-related harm. The money will go to three rural communities to help them address anti-social behaviour linked to underage drinking. It has been awarded to Three Towns Area Action Partnership (AAP), to reduce alcohol harm in Tow Law, Crook...

Debbie Elizabeth serves up her weekly mouthwatering suggestion for Aycliffe Today readers. This week... Baked Lamb Shank Ingredients • 6 sprigs of fresh rosemary • 150g cold butter • 15 fresh sage leaves • 2 sprigs of fresh thyme, leaves picked • Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper • 4 lamb shanks, preferably...

By Martin Walker Police this morning launched a major drugs operation to tackle a suspected heroin network near Newton Aycliffe. Nine people were arrest in the early hours of this morning in the first part of the drugs crackdown in the Spennymoor, Ferryhill and Chilton areas of County Durham – which could affect people in the Aycliffe...

By Martin Walker An ex-Aycliffe resident who used to live next door to the house which went up in flames on Monday says he tried to warn local environmental health officials about potential fire hazards – but his calls went unnoticed. Monday’s fire, at Honister Place in the town, claimed the life of a 65-year-old woman, while her...

Motorists are being urged to plan alternative routes while the final stage of improvements is carried out at a new roundabout at Thinford, near Spennymoor. As part of the highways enhancements linked to the DurhamGate development drivers are being given advance notice that the A167 between Thinford and Croxdale roundabout will be closed...

Aycliffe families are invited to watch a free community film this weekend. Everyone is invited to the Great Aycliffe and Middridge Partnership Community Cinema at Neville Parade Community Centre on Saturday (19th May). The family animation film Surf’s Up will be showing from 2pm – with the doors opening at 1.45pm. All members of...