Car parts maker Gestamp has reported an increase in turnover to more than £460m. The Spanish-owned group, which has five sites in the UK including its Newton Aycliffe plant, has published group accounts for 2015 which show that sales rose 9% year-on-year to reach £468.5m on the back of a “pan-European success story” of rising car...

Motorists are being warned about the safety of part worn tyres after a survey found many do not meet legal requirements in County Durham. Durham County Council’s consumer protection service visited a number of local part worn traders to check whether they had procedures in place to ensure goods comply with legal standards, as part of the...

Newton Aycliffe began their defence of the Durham Challenge Cup with victory over derby rivals Bishop Auckland this week. The Newtonians, who lifted the trophy with a win over West Auckland in the summer, beat Bishops 3-1 at Moore Lane Park on Tuesday night to progress. Peter Dixon’s side have been dawn at home to Brandon in the second...

Newton Aycliffe 39, Seghill 13 Newton Aycliffe 1st XV played only their second match at home, beating Seghill last weekend. Given Seghill’s reputation for hard rugby up front supported by a decent backline, expectations were high that this would be a good fixture. The game was a special one for several reasons, Aycliffe were running out...

St Mary’s Church is hosting a fundraising coffee morning this weekend, with all proceeds being donated to Newtonian Paul McGeary’s fundraising efforts for a major national blood cancer charity. The event is being held from 10am-12noon on Saturday (October 29) at St Mary’s on the corner of Burn Lane and Central Avenue, and entry is...

Two Newton Aycliffe companies have joined forces to help a major Teesside-based international logistics company expand its premises. The construction division of Aycliffe-based Raisco has completed a £250,000 expansion and refurbishment of a 7,700 square metre lorry park at Suttons Tankers in Stockton. The land, owned by Aycliffe firm...

Greenfield dance student Daniel Wilkinson was selected to represent the school at the Youth Sport Trust School Games. This was following the 'YST Factor' auditions in which Daniel beat off national competition to be selected to perform at the opening ceremony. Daniel, who trains with Claire Walton, has also recently been talent spotted to...

A family-run grounds maintenance and landscaping company is celebrating after winning three major contracts which has resulted in the creation of new jobs. County Durham firm Beaumont Grounds Maintenance has signed a three-year deal with leading Teesside independent commercial property surveying practice Dodds Brown. Beaumont, based on...

In a first for the region, County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service (CDDFRS) has opened applications for firefighter apprentices. The 24-month apprenticeships will begin on May 1, 2017, and are open to anyone who will be 17 or over on that date. Apprentices will receive full fire service training, initially in business fire...

Organisers behind the region’s biggest engineering and manufacturing expo are already making plans for next year – the event’s tenth birthday. Hundreds of people from across the region descend on the Xcel Centre in Newton Aycliffe for Durham Oktoberfest. Businesses from a diverse range of sectors took the opportunity to showcase their...