A Newton Aycliffe man has been spared jail after admitting he and a female escort burgled one of her customers. As reported in today’s Northern Echo, the victim had £4,000-worth of property stolen after the call girl stole his house keys and returned with a burglar while he was out. Career criminal Craig Routledge, from Aycliffe,...

Talented young athletes from across County Durham gathered in Durham City last night to kick start the International Youth Games - a unique event which forms a major part of Durham County Council’s Olympic legacy ‘Join in…’ programme. For the youngsters who have all been selected to take part it was their first chance to learn more...

Help is at hand for people in County Durham who want to boost their skills and improve their job prospects. To coincide with National Apprenticeship Week 2012, Durham County Council’s Adult Learning and Skills Service is reminding residents of the range of work-based training opportunities it can offer. The list includes Level 2 and,...

A live music event for young people proved so popular – a further two are planned for next month. Bishop Live – Young People’s Band Night was held on Friday night and saw four bands made up of local musicians take to the stage. The Cartoon Room, We killed the base player, The loudest silence and Lady Godiva performed at Bishop...

The North East has been successful in joining a national business-led network which aims to help protect and support the interests of rural economies. In recognition of its acceptance to the Farming and Rural Advisory Network, North Eastern network representatives met Richard Benyon MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary for Natural Environment...

A County Durham museum is opening its doors for the February half-term holidays for the first time this year following calls from visitors. Killhope: the North of England Lead Mining Museum will be open from Saturday, 11 February to Sunday, 19 February. The museum normally closes for the winter, reopening in April, but in previous years...

The first phase of a major development to bring new jobs, housing and business to a County Durham town is expected to be completed by the summer. Durham County Council is reassuring residents after unforeseen problems caused delays affecting roadworks in the A167/A688 Thinford roundabout area – which a lot of Aycliffe residents use to...

By Martin Walker Darlington boss Craig Liddle was given a special award at the North-East football writers annual dinner at the weekend. The region’s football community came together to celebrate the very best of the 2010-11 football season and to raise funds for the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation. Aycliffe firm Mantis Media, producers...

Two men were due to appear before Newton Aycliffe magistrates today after they were charged with breaking into properties, after serious 'leg work' from a police dog and its handler. Around 1am on Sunday morning, police received a report of suspicious activity in the Low Coniscliffe area of Darlington where a number of vehicles, garages and...

By Martin Walker A stunning new pier which will dominate the skyline of a North-East seaside resort is starting to take shape. Newton Aycliffe firm Finley Structures have completed the steel framework for the Vertical Pier, due to open later this year, as part of Redcar and Cleveland Council’s multi-million pound redevelopment...