News

Company and director left £17,000 worse off over unauthorised work
A company and its director have been ordered to pay more than £17,000 between them over unauthorised work in the open countryside. N&T Civils Limited of Hartlepool and its director Nicholas Edwin Leat have also been left with criminal convictions

Coast-to-Coast Success for Wolsingham Student Raising Funds for Nepal Expedition
A determined Wolsingham School student has successfully completed the iconic Coast-to-Coast cycle route across northern England to raise funds for a life-changing volunteering expedition to Nepal in 2027. Darcy Smith, who celebrated her 15th birthday just two days before setting

Graduated Driving Licences coming soon in Northern Ireland
With Northern Ireland now moving ahead with Graduated Driver Licensing from 1 October, the question is no longer whether it works, but why young drivers in England and Wales are still being denied the same protection. County Durham and Darlington

County Durham success on GCSE results day
A North East council has praised students for their hard work, as school leavers find out their GCSE results today. Durham County Councill is congratulating students who are receiving their GCSE, BTEC and Level 2 qualifications. In County Durham, 62.1

CLA responds to PM’s crackdown on waste tipping
The Country Land and Business Association (CLA) has welcomed Andy Burnham’s pledge to crackdown on organised waste gangs, but warned real action must be seen on the ground. You can read the government’s announcement here. Harriet Ranson, Regional Director, CLA North, said: “We have argued

Bishop’s alive as campaign gains visitor traction
Visitors are being encouraged to enjoy a “bonkers day out” in Bishop Auckland after The Auckland Project launched a major new advertising campaign under its public-facing brand, Bishop’s alive, on buses, roadside posters and digital media across the region and


Morris Minors return to Stanhope
THE annual show, organised by the North East branch of the Morris Minor Owners’ Club, was held on Stanhope Showfield over the weekend. Scores of vintage cars and vans were on display alongside stalls selling vintage items, including car parts

Just a little note, criminals – this is how NOT to do it.
Arsonist Neil Cook gave an expert lesson in how to get caught when his electronic tag placed him at the scene of his crime. The 46-year-old endangered the lives of a whole street when he broke into a house in

Linburn Bridge safety row intensifies as resident challenges council over width, traffic and missing records
Credit: Andrew Richardson CONCERNS over Linburn Bridge at Hamsterley have escalated after a local resident submitted a detailed highway objection to Durham County Council, arguing that the bridge and surrounding road network have not been adequately assessed for increased traffic

Award-winning low-budget horror film director Dean Midas received some amazing news from America overnight!
His horror shorts Christmas Eve & The Review have been officially selected for inclusion on HorrorHound TV, a streaming platform dedicated exclusively to independent horror! Since 2005, HorrorHound has stood as one of the most recognised names in genre entertainment,

Rare masterpieces by one of Spain’s greatest sculptors go on display in Bishop Auckland
Three remarkable 17th-century works of art by one of Spain’s greatest sculptors have gone on display at the Spanish Gallery in Bishop Auckland. Sculpting the Sacred celebrates Pedro de Mena (1628–1688), the Spanish master who was renowned for imbuing his

PCC Backs National Campaign to Tackle Dangerous Drug Driving Myths
Leading road safety campaigner and Durham Police and Crime Commissioner Joy Allen has joined forces with Durham Constabulary and Darlington Borough Council’s Community Safety Team to challenge dangerous attitudes towards drink and drug driving. Ahead of the World Cup, the

Lanchester Show is Back
And show season begins… After an absence of a few years, Lanchester Show made a comeback this weekend. Founded over 70 years ago, it is billed as an agricultural show and although there were no farm animals to be seen

PCC calls for stronger legislation, education and enforcement to save lives on our roads
Leading road safety campaigner and Police and Crime Commissioner for County Durham and Darlington, Joy Allen, is calling for stronger legislation, increased education and greater investment in enforcement after the latest Government road safety statistics highlighted the devastating impact of

Unforgettable opening weekend planned for County Durham’s new cultural venue The Light
Opening weekend celebrations, summer holiday workshops, exhibitions and live performances will launch The Light as Durham City’s latest destination for culture, creativity and community. The Durham County Council venue opens its doors on Saturday 22 August, with a vibrant programme

World-Class Live Music Returns to The Bowes Museum with an Autumn-Winter In Concert Series
Fyfe Dangerfield, Nerina Pallot, Martin Taylor MBE and Juan Martín headline anunforgettable season of live performances.Following three consecutive sell-out concerts earlier this year by acclaimed artists SandiThom, Elles Bailey and Marshall Gilmour Webbs, The Bowes Museum has unveiled itsexciting Autumn/Winter

Praise for County Durham students on results day
Seventeen and 18-year-olds across County Durham are celebrating today, having received their exam results. Durham County Council is congratulating Level 3 students studying A-level, T-level, and BTEC National qualifications on their achievements this results day. This year, the average grade