Here are some pictures, courtesy of LNER, which show off some of the Azuma’s assets…

Vehicles being used to transport controlled waste have been inspected at the roadside during an operation to clamp down on rubbish being disposed of illegally in County Durham. As part of Operation Stop It, Durham County Council’s award-winning campaign to eliminate flytipping, the authority’s neighbourhood wardens and licensing team, along...

Aycliffe police caught 49 speeding motorists after carrying out six camera sessions around the town in response to public feedback. As part of Road Safety Week, the Ayclilffe officers were supported by the Police Motorcycle Section in carrying out the Speedwatch in six areas – including two locations along Greenfield Way, Shafto Way,...

Blue chip engineering and manufacturing firms will join schools and talented students and graduates at an Employers’ Fair taking place at South West Durham Training next week. The free event is open to all Year 10 and Year 11 students and sixth formers, teachers, careers advisors, parents/carers and local employers. Graduate jobs, industry...

More than 100 dangerous drivers in the North-East have been spotted by an unmarked HGV supercab in the past year in a bid to improve safety on the region’s high-speed roads. The vehicle is one of three supercabs, funded by Highways England, which have travelled thousands of miles since they first took to the road a year ago. Police...

The North-East is closing the economic gap on other areas of the country but “there is still more to be done” in a number of key areas, an annual report on the region’s economy says. The North East Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) has published its second annual Our Economy report, giving an update on areas such as unemployment,...

An investigation has been launched after a fire broke out on Aycliffe Business Park. The timber fire caused extensive damages to the warehouse at Appletree Joinery, on Linde Way, on Sunday. Residents were urged to keep all doors and windows shut at one point as a huge plume of smoke hung over. Rob Cherrie, group manager at County Durham...

Students at Greenfield Community College have been sampling outdoor life at Ullswater as part of their wider learning experience. The 46-strong Year 7 group were thrilled with the range of activities on offer and rose to the challenge even though the weather was testing at times. “It was an amazing opportunity,” said student Courtney,...

Rough sleepers across the North East will have increased access to accommodation, thanks to successful funding bids by Durham County Council. Sites will be established in the region to give those who are homeless interim places to stay and a lettings agency established for County Durham, after the government agreed to provide more than...

A round-up of the weekend’s cricket action… Saturday 11th May – NYSD Division 2 Newton Aycliffe 1st XI v Rockliffe Park 1st XI (Match Sponsored by 1AB Taxis) – weather was cold and overcast. Aycliffe won the toss and chose to bowl first. Rockliffe Park 1st XI 43 all out after 22 overs Jack Slatcher 5 for 13 and Michael Howe 4 for...