Woodham Academy student Jake Mendelsohn has been handed a coveted Princess Diana Award for his fundraising efforts. Jake was nominated for the award following his work to raise funds for Brain Tumour Research and Alzheimer's. He raised more than £1,000 after completing a one-mile swim in Lake Windemere and 100 lengths of the main pool in...

Fifty vehicles were stopped and checked by volunteer police officers during a day of action. The operation – the second outing of ‘Operation Basingstoke’ – resulted in multiple vehicles being taken off the roads, and drivers reported for various offences. Two roadside checkpoints were operated on the A689, manned by officers from...

Energy pioneers Warrens Group have taken delivery of the first of a fleet of new trucks which will be powered by their own gas. Warrens runs what was the North-East’s first food-to-waste anaerobic digestion facility when it was built on Aycliffe Business Park in 2012. Now the third-generation family-run firm claim they’ll be the first...

The Pioneering Care Partnership says it was “overwhelmed” to receive an unexpected and generous donation. The Aycliffe Masonic Lodge donated £250 towards the running costs of the Memory Café at PCP. Robbie Davison, charity steward of the lodge, said: “The Freemasons hold a series of events and fundraising activities throughout the...

A man has been charged with murder following an incident in Newton Aycliffe town centre on September 8. Nathan Robbie Buckland, 24, of Lumley Close, Newton Aycliffe, was last night charged with the murder of Iain Lee, who died in hospital on September 19. He was due to appear at Newton Aycliffe Magistrates Court this morning (Tuesday).

Leading organisations have signed the loan sharks charter in an aim to help crack down on illegal money lending. Loan sharks are illegal money lenders who charge very high interest rates. They operate without a licence, often targeting vulnerable people. Durham County Council’s Durham Savers Project is working in partnership with Durham...

A growing family-run business which services the construction industry aims to almost double turnover after investing more than £1m in new facilities. BTS Fabrications has rebranded as BTS Facades and Fabrications, after spending heavily on a new head office and equipment at its Newton Aycliffe premises. More than 100 guests gathered for an...

Find out about what support is available for young children with special educational needs or disabilities (SEND) at a fun filled drop-in. Join Durham County Council, health services, education, local charities and more at Spennymoor Leisure Centre on Friday 5 October to hear about what support is available for children aged up to five with...

County Durham SMEs are being encouraged to book their place at this year’s EMCON Incubator Zone as only a handful of stands remain. EMCON (formerly known as Durham Oktoberfest) takes place at the Xcel Centre on Thursday October 18. Seventeen companies have already booked their place on the incubator programme, the latest recruits being...

It was another weekend of footballing action for the Aycliffe Juniors teams. All the teams put in a great effort and there was a wide range of results. The Under 7’s Whites were in Russell Foster League action and came away 5-2 winners against Pass Soccer. The goals came from a Jack R hatrick, Jack C and Tyler to keep up their teams unbeaten...