Newton Aycliffe joint manager Dan Mellanby says he feels optimistic ahead of the new season, which kicks off with an FA Cup tie at home to Chester-le-Street on Saturday. He and fellow boss Deano Browne have signed six new players over the summer after they steered the club to a comfortable ninth-place finish in the Northern League last...

Parents of three and four year olds are being encouraged to apply for an additional 15 hours free childcare to help them remain in or take up employment. From September 2017, working parents of three and four year olds will be eligible for a total of 30 hours free childcare – rather than the current 15 hours which is available to all. Each...

A woman suffered chemical burns in a “terrifying attack” in which a gang of youths threw a corrosive liquid in her face. The 21-year-old was confronted by eight people at 6.20pm on Monday in Wright Close, Newton Aycliffe. It is believed they ran towards the town centre after throwing the liquid at their victim. Durham Police said the...

The Pioneering Care Partnership has formally received the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service from Sue Snowdon, Her Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant. Afternoon tea was later served to guests who included PCP’s longstanding Patron Lord Derek Foster, his wife Lady Anne and Phil Wilson MP along with local community champions and supporters. The...

A new and unique service to support victims of hate crime has been launched. The Hate Crime Advocacy Service (HCAS) works directly with victims and witnesses of hate crimes and incidents to help them through the process of prosecution. It can also help them to cope with the crime to which they have been subjected. Darlington Association on...

More than £100,000 has been invested to give an historic function room a facelift. Redworth Hall has fully refurbished its popular Great Hall, which hosts more than 100 events a year including wedding receptions, birthday parties, anniversaries and corporate functions. The three-week programme, which was completed in June, has enabled the...

Police are appealing for information after a theft from a motor vehicle. The incident happened at around 4am on Friday (July 28) on Ritson Road, when an unknown male has made an untidy search of a car on the street and stole cash from within the vehicle. Anyone with any information should contact PC 2917 Michael Crawford on 101.  

Aycliffe Today Business editor Martin Walker finds out why leading shower manufacturer Roman is firm supporters of the highly-acclaimed Future Business Magnates competition... It’s one of Aycliffe Business Park’s household names, one of Europe’s top 1,000 fastest-growing companies, and earlier this year was recognised with the Queens...

New parents in County Durham can get tips and advice on bringing up baby via their mobile phone, thanks to a free app. Baby Buddy features daily facts, videos and useful information aimed specifically at the individual user. Parents and parents-to-be can also use it to keep track of medical appointments, locate nearby services and even...

The Pioneering Care Partnership’s Better Health at Work Award (BHAWA) team and Wellbeing for Life delivered a Mental Health Conference to over 100 attendees from 37 different County Durham businesses at the Xcel Centre in Newton Aycliffe. The conference highlighted the benefits of raising awareness of Mental Health in the workplace and how...