A company which claimed to sell adult films has been shut down following concerns it was being used as a direct debit scam. Drawntear Limited was wound-up at a hearing of the High Court in Manchester on Wednesday 12 February. The company, which said it was based in Hull beforeContinue Reading
Following a market study into the infant formula and follow-on formula market, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has issued its final recommendations. Sarah Cardell, Chief Executive of the CMA, said: Every parent wants to give their baby the best possible start in life. Many whom need, or choose, toContinue Reading
On 5 February, our Public Safety and Subsidence team was made aware of the collapse in a farmer’s field and over a public bridleway in the Bishop Auckland area. The collapse, measuring 7 metres in diameter and up to 50 metres deep, was quickly secured and planning work to fillContinue Reading
From 1 April 2025, registered keepers of electric, zero or low emission cars, vans and motorcycles will need to pay vehicle tax in the same way as registered keepers of petrol and diesel vehicles. This change will apply to both new and existing vehicles. This new measure removes band AContinue Reading
The data published yesterday shows that HMCTS has slashed average wait times in December 2024 to just over four weeks. This compares to twelve weeks at the end of 2023 and over eight weeks at the end of June 2024. The improvement is a result of decisive Government action to reduceContinue Reading
For 20 years, Vladimir Putin has been repeating the mistakes of Russia’s past: by seeking to recreate the Russian empire and suffocate the countries around its borders. Too often in the past, the West has let him. We did too little in 2008, when he invaded Georgia, and in 2014,Continue Reading
From tomorrow (17 February), Local Authorities can begin rolling out local schemes for tax relief to help filmmakers produce the country’s next box office hits, rom-coms and cult classics. Film studios are to receive business rates relief over the next nine years as the government rolls out a 40% reductionContinue Reading
A man has credited a County Durham homelessness service with transforming his life after his mental health issues escalated. Michael Dunn had reached crisis point when he was introduced to the team at the Safe Night Hub, a new countywide service providing food, warmth and support to rough sleepers everyContinue Reading
A County Durham man has been left more than £1,500 worse off and with a criminal conviction after failing to assist a flytipping investigation. Byron Cant-Raine was successfully prosecuted by Durham County Council after failing to attend an interview in relation to a flytip at Brancepeth. Ian Hoult, the council’sContinue Reading
A Middlesbrough Councillor is appealing for donations to help orphans in some of the poorest parts of the world. Councillor Joan McTigue has joined forces with fellow councillors for similar appeals in the past and is urging local people to give generously in her latest campaign. The charitable drive wasContinue Reading
Police and Crime Commissioner Joy Allen is inviting residents to get involved in her scrutiny meeting focused on trust and confidence in policing. Trust and confidence in policing has declined over recent years, with a recent survey showing that nationally, over half of the adult population has little confidence inContinue Reading
Volunteers who help to keep County Durham’s coastline clean will continue to be supported thanks to council funding. Durham County Council works alongside other local authorities, and organisations such as The National Trust, Durham Wildlife Trust, Groundwork and Northumbrian Water, as part of the Heritage Coast Partnership. The partnership aimsContinue Reading
· HM Revenue and Customs’ (HMRC) ‘Help for Hustles’ campaign launched to support people earning extra income to understand any tax obligations As Valentine’s Day approaches, anyone who has turned the love for their hobby into a side hustle is being encouraged to put a ring on it and makeContinue Reading
Zakaria Chowdhury, 20, also known as Zak, was last seen on Friday, February 7, in the Newcastle city centre area at about 2am. Shortly before Zak was reported missing, he was sighted on CCTV in the Centre for Life area and in a premises on Neville Street. It is believedContinue Reading
Senior business leaders from across the region gathered at the latest North East Chamber of Commerce 1815 Lunch to hear from guest speaker Sinead Rocks, managing director of nations and regions at Channel 4. The event focused on the importance of decentralising broadcasting, investing in regional creative industries andContinue Reading
AN inspirational nurse from Teesside nominated one of her patients for the trip of a lifetime after the brave youngster lost his mum last year. Helen Gilpin, Roald Dahl paediatric epilepsy nurse specialist at South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, joined five-year-old Lenny Wilans Jobson and his family on a special visitContinue Reading
Officers investigating a report of assault in Northumberland have released an image of a man they’d like to speak to. Shortly after 11pm on Saturday, November 23, police received a report of assault at a premises on John Street in Ashington. It was reported that a man has repeatedly punchedContinue Reading
The potential for thousands of new jobs in County Durham has moved a step closer, after senior councillors agreed to progress to the next stage in a development plan. Durham County Council’s Cabinet has agreed to take the next step in its procurement process, in its plans to develop landContinue Reading
Drivers passing through Durham are being warned of enforcement coming into place at a key junction. From Monday 17 February, Durham County Council will be introducing an Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) camera at the yellow box junction at Neville’s Cross. The Highway Code states that drivers must not enterContinue Reading
The North East Chamber of Commerce has submitted its response to the government’s comprehensive spending review consultation, calling for targeted investment and policy changes to unlock economic growth across the region. The Chamber, which represents 2,000 businesses, employing 40% of the North East’s workforce, is urging the government to useContinue Reading
UK businesses are, for the first time, being invited to have their say on the government’s electronic invoicing (e-invoicing) proposals. E-invoicing is the digital exchange of invoice information directly between buyers and suppliers. It could help businesses get their tax right first time, reduce invoicing and data errors, improve theContinue Reading
Police investigating a report of burglary have released an image of a man they’d like to speak to. It was reported that between the hours of 12:00pm and 5:30pm on Friday, January 17, a man has gained entry to a property on Dene Lane in the Fulwell area of Sunderland.Continue Reading
A 23-year-old loan shark who preyed on vulnerable customers, charging ‘crippling interest’ and threatening them when they couldn’t pay has today been given a suspended jail sentence. Hakeem Suleman, of Eastbourne Road, Middlesbrough, admitted illegal money lending and money laundering between October 2019 and May 2023, when he was arrestedContinue Reading
Eagle-eyed police have uncovered illegal vapes and tobacco products worth in the region of £20,000 from a Newcastle shop. Officers from Byker Neighbourhood Policing Team (NPT) visited the premises on Shields Road on an unrelated matter on Wednesday afternoon. While inside, they spotted illicit cigarettes, tobacco and vapes which haveContinue Reading
A County Durham primary school has been recognised for its work to bring the world into the classroom. Wingate Primary School has been awarded the prestigious International School Award by the British Council. The award celebrates the achievements of schools that bring an international dimension into their curriculum, enabling youngContinue Reading
Officers are warning about the dangers of creating ‘cannabis shatter’ after the discovery of a suspected lab on Wearside. Northumbria Police carried out a warrant at an address in the Concord area of Washington last week and arrested a man at the scene. On searching the premises, an industrial ovenContinue Reading
A burglar has been jailed after he stole from residents at a care home in Gateshead. In October last year, police received reports of a suspected burglary at a premises in the area of Dryden Road in Low Fell. Following an investigation, Anthony Whitesmith – who had previously been employed as aContinue Reading
Nine arrested and five charged as part of partnership strikes across the country concerning organised drug supply. Under Operation Sentinel, yesterday (Wednesday), officers from the North East Regional Organised Crime Unit (NEROCU), National Crime Agency (NCA) and Durham Constabulary, with the support of Yorkshire and Humber Regional Organised Crime UnitContinue Reading
Families have faced rocketing energy bills as a direct consequence of an overreliance on international gas markets, while at the same time thousands of tenants have been left exposed to cold, draughty homes, pushing bills up even higher. The government is now calling time on this inheritance by consulting onContinue Reading
Local communities up and down the country will receive funding for family and school nurses, sexual health clinics and other public health services in their areas, thanks to a nearly £200 million boost in funding announced today (7 February 2025). As part of government plans to improve health outcomes acrossContinue Reading
A Sunday Brunch host, social media baker, and a MasterChef champion are among the celebrity chefs who will appear at this year’s Bishop Auckland Food Festival. The popular Durham County Council-run festival will return to Bishop Auckland on Saturday 12 and Sunday 13 April, for a weekend of sizzling streetContinue Reading
Officers investigating reports of an assault in Sunderland city centre have released an image of a man they’d like to speak to. Shortly after 2.30am on Sunday, December 22, 2024, it was reported that two men, both in their 20s, had been assaulted on Holmeside Road. It’s believed that twoContinue Reading
Food redistribution charities can now submit applications for a new £15 million Government scheme, which is helping to ensure surplus food is delivered to those who need it. Every year, an estimated 330,000 tonnes of edible food is either wasted or repurposed as animal feed before leaving farm gates. ThisContinue Reading
The sensory room, which is part of the country park’s ongoing transformation and commitment to accessibility, is free to use 7 days a week with no pre-booking required. Inside the room is sensory equipment such as touch tag bean bags, tactile bubble mirrors, sensory puzzle play mats, interactive bubble fishContinue Reading
The search for a former firefighter from Beverley who went missing is continuing as police appeal for witnesses. Authorities are continuing their search for Richard Mason, a 55-year-old former firefighter from Beverley, who has been missing since 30 December. Humberside Police have renewed their appeal for witnesses as the investigationContinue Reading
Millions of people are set to benefit from improvements to the way homes are bought and sold, saving them both time and money by helping stop property transactions from falling through. Under major new plans, the government has announced today [February 9] it will modernise the way the process worksContinue Reading
The Deputy Prime Minister has met bereaved families and survivors of the Grenfell Tower tragedy, and written to both them and residents in the immediate community, to share her decision that Grenfell Tower will be carefully taken down to the ground. This is a deeply personal matter for the peopleContinue Reading
Significant investment in Alexander Barracks, Pirbright, has provided a modern, sustainable facility that supports the welfare of recruits. The new Soldiers’ Centre offers centralised welfare support for recruits who are completing the 13-week basic training course. Spread over 2 storeys, the £11 million purpose-built facility comprises retail and food outlets,Continue Reading
Officers have released footage of a man they’d like to trace as they continue to investigate a report of a firearm being discharged in a Newcastle street. At around 4.30am on Monday, December 16, officers received a report that a suspected firearm had been discharged at a property on BeaumontContinue Reading
A suspect has been arrested after a string of burglaries in the Birtley area of Gateshead. Shortly after 3am yesterday (Thursday), officers were alerted to several reports of offenders attempting to break into properties on Coniston, Garsdale, Mingarry and Tantallion. Officers were swiftly deployed where some of the occupants hadContinue Reading
A warrant has been executed at a pub in Darlington to disrupt suspected drug supply and disorder. Under Operation Arizona, Darlington neighbourhood team and licensing officers along with support from the dog unit and colleagues from County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service swooped in on The Old DunContinue Reading
Police are appealing for information to help locate a missing man from Newcastle. Twenty-year-old Zakaria Chowdhury, who also goes by Zak, was last seen at around 2.30am today (Friday) in Newcastle city centre. Officers and his family are growing increasingly concerned for his welfare – and are calling on anyoneContinue Reading
Schoolchildren in County Durham have shown off their new £40m state-of-the-art learning environment to council leaders. Children at Belmont Community School and Belmont Church of England Primary School welcomed Cabinet members from Durham County Council for the official opening of their modern new shared campus – which has been funded byContinue Reading
Building works on a new NHS diagnostic centre are nearing completion – with health staff speaking of their “excitement” after state-of-the-art equipment was installed. The Tees Valley Community Diagnostic Centre in Stockton will open in the next few weeks, delivering tests for cancer, heart and lung disease. The centre hasContinue Reading
A HOSPITAL trust from Teesside is delighted after over 150 electronic devices were donated to its digital donation appeal in January. South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust held two digital donation events across its hospital sites at James Cook and the Friarage on Wednesday 15 January. The events were heldContinue Reading
A physiotherapist’s use of digital technology has seen the waiting list for physiotherapy fall by more than 80% and has helped patients like Stephen to be seen even quicker. Senior specialist physiotherapist Linda Furness, who works at the Friarage Hospital, has been credited for driving a change within the physiotherapyContinue Reading
More than 11.5 million taxpayers successfully filed their Self Assessment tax returns for the 2023–2024 tax year by the 31 January deadline, avoiding a £100 late filing penalty, HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has confirmed. A total of 732,498 people submitted their returns on deadline day, with the busiest hourContinue Reading
Tributes have been paid this week following the death of a popular and long-serving former Middlesbrough Councillor at the age of 82. Geraldine Purvis represented the town’s Brambles & Thorntree ward between 2011 and 2023. During her time on the Council Geraldine served on a number of committees and scrutinyContinue Reading
A Durham City shop that sold vapes to children on multiple occasions, including a 15-year-old, has been ordered to close for three months. Phone Gadget, on Silver Street, has been told by a court to close its doors following a successful application by Durham County Council, which was acting inContinue Reading
Nicky Francis, 48, a fitness manager at Middlesbrough’s Neptune Centre is taking on the national Three Peaks Challenge in aid of Breast Cancer Now. She will be joining an East Region team of colleagues and partner suppliers from award-winning operator Everyone Active – the company which manages leisure centres forContinue Reading
The North East Chamber of Commerce held an event which explored lessons from the worlds of professional sport and business to create high-performance workplaces. The Sport and Business – Enabling High Performance Workplaces event looked at strategies for building stronger, more collaborative teams and the importance of adopting a holistic,Continue Reading
Police and Crime Commissioner Joy Allen’s plans to boost policing and deliver the improvements local people have asked for have been fully approved. The County Durham and Darlington PCC, who has promised to keep residents and businesses at the heart of her safety plans, presented her budget for policing inContinue Reading
Residents are being encouraged to comment on the rules for walking dogs in the Filey, Scarborough and Whitby area to ensure everybody can enjoy a safe and clean environment. North Yorkshire Council has launched a public consultation today (Monday, February 3) on the existing Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) toContinue Reading
The North Shields 800 celebrations are launching in style with free events at the Exchange 1856 theatre. On the evenings of Friday January 31 and Saturday February 1, North Shields band Hector Gannet is playing free ticketed concerts at the venue, with more than 800 people expected to attend. The tickets soldContinue Reading
North East Mayor Kim McGuinness has kickstarted a plan to tackle child poverty across the region and support families. The Mayor met with community leaders, charities, businesses and teachers in Newbiggin by the Sea, Northumberland and took part in a story time reading session with local pupils as she saw first hand work underway to helpContinue Reading
