One of Hitachi’s new Intercity Express train has arrived in Inverness depot for the first time this week, ahead of improving passenger journeys when they enter service later this year. The Hitachi-built train, which will offer customers more seats, space and improved on-board technology, is doing test runs in Scotland and giving depot staff...

People across County Durham are being advised to expect further disruption to services as the severe weather continues today. Staff from Durham County Council are working hard to ensure services continue but due to the prolonged snowfall some disruption is inevitable. Gritting crews continue to work around the clock ploughing and treating...

Aycliffe Sports Club 3, Hallington 1 By Paul Eales After last week’s comfortable 5-1 win against Shildon Three Tons, Newton Aycliffe Sports Club continued with their promotion push with a 3-1 victory over early league pace setters Hallington FC. With the Moore Lane pitch just about holding up, this game was always going to be a scrappy...

TRAFFIC UPDATE (7.10am): Road conditions continue to be extremely precarious this morning. Due to jack knifed vehicles on the A1(M), the northbound carriageway is blocked between J59 and J61, and the southbound carriageway is blocked between J62 and J63. The A66 remains closed. As was the case yesterday, Police are advising against all...

An award-winning stairlift maker in Newton Aycliffe has reportedly ceased trading, with all staff being made redundant. The Northern Echo has reported that Meditek, which once employed 30 people at its premises at Northfield Way on Aycliffe Business Park, has stopped operating. According to quotes attributed to co-founder and director Kevin...

It has emerged a maths teacher worked at Greenfield School in the late 1980s and early ‘90s AFTER he had earlier been convicted of a sex attack. Donald Farms was this week jailed for six years for a “catalogue of abuse” inflicted on a male pupil at a primary school. However, it has also come to light that Farms, who retired from...

HC-One’s St Clare’s Court Care Home in Newton Aycliffe is celebrating the success of home manager Jason Parkinson, who has received a Kindness in Care Award for the great work he delivers for residents on a daily basis. The Kindness in Care Awards programme was launched by HC-One, a leading provider in health and social care, in October...

Crafter’s Companion has been ranked number 31 in this year’s Sunday Times Lloyds SME Export Track 100 list, after experiencing 72% year-on-year growth in export sales. One of just four North-East companies to make the list, the Newton Aycliffe-based business has grown significantly from a small start-up into a global enterprise, now...

The Aycliffe Juniors football teams continued their seasons and looked to continue developing the younger teams and improving league positions for the older age groups. The Under 6’s enjoyed a friendly with Darlington 21st All Stars. A great effort saw twelve goals scored from the team, Denver got four, there was a hatrick each for Jack and...

Communities and volunteers across County Durham are being urged to take part in the eleventh annual ‘Big Spring Clean’ litter-picking campaign. LitterFree Durham, in partnership with Durham County Council and Darlington Borough Council, is inspiring people to give their local area a spring clean-up to banish strewn litter in time for...