The Northern Echo
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MPs urge wildfire reforms after record incidents - including North York Moors blaze
MPs are calling for disposable barbecue restrictions, new firefighting aircraft and Australian-style public awareness campaigns after two record-breaking wildfire years across the UK.
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North Yorkshire farmer wins national award for regenerative farming transformation
North Yorkshire farmer James Johnson wins Regenerative Farmer of the Year at the 2026 British Farming Awards for transforming Mallard Grange Farm through regenerative farming.
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Women take to the skies to help save struggling Age UK North Yorkshire and Darlington
Sandra and Caroline complete charity skydive to raise vital funds for Age UK North Yorkshire & Darlington, supporting 16,400 older people.
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Why family-run Consett chippy remains favourite with fish and chip fans 18 years on
Family-run Blackhill Fish & Chips has served Consett for 18 years, winning loyal customers with traditional fish and chips and glowing reviews.
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Survey reveals North East nerves over John Healey's first Budget
North East financial firm Active says 71 per cent of clients expect to be worse off after the October Budget
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Sex offender back behind bars after exposing himself to railway station commuters
A convicted sex offender is heading straight back to prison after exposing himself to commuters at Newcastle Central station.
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Police drop case against church magazine editor who picked up dead deer off A66
Police have dropped a case against a church magazine editor who picked up a dead deer off the A66 in a bid to take it home and eat it.
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North East law firm Muckle tops £20m turnover after five-year growth
Newcastle law firm Muckle LLP reports 9 per cent turnover growth to £20.6m and a fifth consecutive year of rising revenue and profit across the North East in 2026.
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Darlington market to host free Diwali celebrations with crafts, food and dancing
Darlington's indoor market will host an afternoon of Diwali celebrations later this month, with free entertainment and crafts and food on offer for visitors.
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Busy Danish homeware shop Søstrene Grene confirms Durham opening date
Shoppers in Durham will soon be able to step inside one of Scandinavia's most popular homeware brands, as Søstrene Grene has confirmed the opening date of its new store at The Riverwalk.
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NHS staff told 'I'm going to burn your house down' and are spat at as abuse worsens
NHS staff in County Durham and Darlington have faced threats and spitting, with a health boss warning verbal aggression has become “much worse”.
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Vandals strike Bishop Auckland nursery again in latest break-in
A Bishop Auckland nursery has been targeted again after intruders broke in over the weekend, leaving damage that staff say is harming children’s learning.
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Darlington mum who found dream job on maternity leave grows wool shop across UK
Darlington entrepreneur Hannah Hazledine-Herd, owner of Pretty Knits Wool Shop, named 2026 Start Up Loans Ambassador for the North East.
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Traffic, travel and weather news - Live updates for County Durham and North East
We'll be bringing you all the latest live traffic, travel and weather updates from County Durham and the North East this morning (October 21).
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Tiktoker to bring her 'gritty' play inspired by 'Shameless' to North East stage
A new stage play is coming to Middlesbrough next year based on the creator's "gritty" Teesside upbringing.
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Music producer Trevor Horn to bring spoken-word tour to Durham homecoming
Durham-born music producer Trevor Horn returns to Gala Durham with spoken-word show Adventures in Modern Recording, sharing his career stories.
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North East firms win national awards for innovation and workforce growth
North East firms Care Messenger Holdings and Osbit win national BCC Chamber Business Awards 2026 for digital innovation and engineering talent development.
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TV Police Interceptor sergeant had ‘risky’ public sex with PC, disciplinary told
A police sergeant who appeared on a popular TV documentary had sex with a probationary officer while he was supposed to be on night shift, a disciplinary hearing has heard.
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Knife-swinging attacker launched glass ashtray and kettle water at police
A knife-swinging man who launched a glass ashtray and water from a kettle at police officers in Hartlepool has been jailed.
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Billy Dunlop parole hearing LIVE - Killer admits he felt 'euphoric' after murder
Killer Billy Dunlop will today plead for his release from prison as his fourth parole hearing gets underway in London.
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North Yorkshire to host ghost tours with tales of sobbing women and spirits
Kiplin Hall hosts Halloween ghost tours on October 30 and 31, exploring 400 years of chilling legends, unexplained events and ghost stories.
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Bishop Auckland bakery's Great Bake Off ends in cake controversy over winning slice
A Bishop Auckland bakery's homemade Bake Off has sparked a light-hearted debate after staff questioned whether the winning cake deserved victory after selling out first with fewer slices than a rival.
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The scenic County Durham village about to bring back its popular food week
Lanchester Food Week returns this month, giving residents a chance to celebrate and support the County Durham village’s independent pubs, restaurants and takeaways.
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Millions of pensioners could see weekly state pension rise to £250.70 from April
The full new state pension could rise from £241.30 to £250.70 a week from April 2027, taking the annual payout to £13,036.40.
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The Durham Market Hall trader that's supplied fresh fruit and veg for over 30 years
A Durham greengrocer that has been serving shoppers fresh fruit and vegetables for more than 30 years remains a fixture of Durham Market Hall and continues to champion healthy eating and local shopping.
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'Barmy Bingo' night with food, drinks and prizes coming to North East seafront STACK
Eyes down - enjoy bingo, food and spot prizes at STACK Seaburn's Barmy Bingo night on October 23, with tickets costing £6.50.
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County Durham mum and tiktoker praises local trail's safety for solo female walkers
A County Durham mam has praised Winlaton Mill's Land of Oak & Iron for the safety of its walking trail as a solo woman walker.
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Darlington mum told serious incident didn't involve son before learning he was dead
A devastated Darlington mum who was “categorically told” a serious incident at her son’s college did not involve him was told shortly afterwards by police that he was dead, an inquest heard.
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Historic North East church bells to be removed so they can 'be heard again' elsewhere
Plans have been approved to permanently remove bells from a Grade II-listed Sunderland church to allow for repairs and potential reuse elsewhere.
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Inside the stunning County Durham country mansion with tennis court and private gym
A remarkable Grade II-listed country house set within more than four acres of immaculate grounds is on the market in one of County Durham's most sought-after villages.
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Family feud ended with man crushed to death at petrol station, murder trial told
Trial hears Daniel Ambler was killed at a Seaham petrol station after being struck by a Nissan X-Trail. Five defendants face murder charges.
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Brothers strike £1m deal to take on former bank months after restaurant plan shelved
Two brothers have struck a £1 million deal to take over a historic Middlesbrough building months after plans for a restaurant were shelved.
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Decision on 210 new North East homes put on hold amid legal query over plans
A decision on hundreds of new homes in Hartlepool has been deferred to give decision-makers time to consider a legal query.
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Viral nutritionist says Darlington is home to 'life-changing' lasagne at luxury hotel
Viral nutritionist and internet personality Emily English has praised ATLAS, Rockliffe Hall's fine dining experience, after a luxury Darlington staycation.
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The Sedgefield-born star behind Sherlock, Game of Thrones and Doctor Who
Born in Sedgefield, Mark Gatiss has become one of Britain's most successful writers, actors and producers, with acclaimed roles and credits spanning Sherlock, Doctor Who, Dracula and Game of Thrones.
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Crowds pack out Consett cocktail bar as former registry office gets new lease of life
Crowds turned out to celebrate the launch of County Durham's newest cocktail bar after months of hard work transformed a former registry office into a stylish new nightlife venue.
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County Durham pumpkin patch offers 37 varieties including Warty Goblin and Polar Bear
From giant carving pumpkins to ghostly white gourds and wart-covered Halloween favourites, visitors to a popular County Durham pumpkin patch have been spoilt for choice this autumn.
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Honour for North East engineer who helped turn an ambitious Metro dream into reality
Today’s Object of the Week is a modest new addition to a familiar North East station, remembering a remarkable man whose vision changed the way generations travelled.
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Rise in wrong way driving incidents on Teesside roads following A66 horror crash
Cleveland Police warn dangerous drivers face the full force of the law after three wrong-way incidents were reported on the A66 and A19 last week.
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Green light to turn former offices into 11-room student housing in Middlesbrough
Plans to convert three former commercial properties on Marton Road in Middlesbrough into student accommodation have been approved.
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County Durham nurse opens new clinic to help vulnerable people stay independent
A County Durham nurse on a mission to help vulnerable people maintain their independence has opened a new healthcare clinic in Easington Colliery.
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North East's Sam Fender confirms 2027 tour with Lord of the Rings inspired teaser
North East star Sam Fender has sent fans into a frenzy after appearing to confirm a major stadium tour for 2027 following a series of cryptic teasers.
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LIVE - Delays building as 'obstruction on road' on A167 at Darlington
The road blocked is blocked and traffic is building due to an obstruction on the road on the A167 Beaumont Hill Southbound.
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First look inside North Yorkshire's new Sicilian wine bar as Veeno opens its doors
A new Italian wine bar serving family-produced Sicilian wines and traditional dishes has opened in North Yorkshire.
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Comedian Jimmy Carr headlining five North East venues in new major UK tour
Jimmy Carr will bring his new live show to Sunderland, Newcastle, Stockton, Darlington and Middlesbrough for his 2027 Killing Jokes tour
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Seven of the North East's best cosy bookshops to visit this autumn
Whether you're searching for a rare first edition, the latest bestseller or a cosy spot to spend a rainy afternoon, the North East has some of the best independent bookshops for every reader to enjoy this autumn.
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Popular dog day-out service Billy's Bus launches new County Durham route
Dog owners in Newton Aycliffe, Ferryhill and Chilton will soon be able to send their pets on a "tail-wagging adventure" after Billy's Bus announced a new County Durham route.
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Dexys Midnight Runners' Kevin Rowland on band's Newcastle return
Kevin Rowland discusses Dexys Midnight Runners’ new album Love, their return to Tyneside and North East concert at Newcastle’s O2 City Hall on October 21.
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McDonald's near A197 County Durham closes this week for major makeover
McDonald's has confirmed its Thinford restaurant will close on October 25 for refurbishment before reopening with an improved look in December.
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Former North East officer launches campaign demanding action over police suicides
Paul Cooper, a former Cleveland Police officer, has launched a campaign demanding urgent action over police suicides and the pressures that officers face.