A new team has taken over the reins at popular pub the Blacksmith’s Arms near Newton Aycliffe. After over 13 years at the helm, Bev Blackstock and business partner Brenda Whear have sold the Hammers, at Preston-le-Skerne, to husband-and-wife team Peter and Rachel Walton together with Rachel's brother Neil Skinner. The purchasers are no...

Here's a gallery of pictures from Aycliffe Business Park's 2015 Make Your Mark awards event, held at the Xcel Centre last week. Pictures by Angela Carrington ...

The consequences of excessive alcohol consumption were shown in sharp relief at a major conference hosted by the North-East’s three Police and Crime Commissioners in Durham. The conference heard the heart-breaking story of Kristian Thompson, a County Durham teenager who died in rehabilitation months after being hit by a single punch in...

Unemployment in County Durham is up – despite figures released by the NECC saying figures for the North-East region are positive. Stats released earlier this week (see graph below) claims unemployment in the county rose slightly to 7.6% in the year to September 2015. The graph shows how unemployment has changed over time since the best...

Whitley Bay 0 Newton Aycliffe 1 Newton Aycliffe added to their back-to-back wins last week with a 1-0 victory at Whitley Bay on Tuesday night. It was Aycliffe’s third consecutive win, and ninth away this season (the best record in the league) which saw them climb to fourth in the Ebac Northern League first division. The game was played...

A majority of just under 60% has voted in favour of North-East devolution. More than 80,000 County Durham residents responded to the household poll (about 21.7%) ran by Durham County Council. Analysis of the results show that a clear majority (59.5%) of those who took part believe that devolving some power and resources to the North-East...

An award-winning family entertainment venue is set to bring a range of exciting new outdoor activities to its Newton Aycliffe site including a 180-metre zip line and 38-metre high bungee tower. ROF 59 activity centre has applied to Durham County Council for permission to install the new facility at the rear of its existing building on Aycliffe...

Sunderland RCA 1, Newton Aycliffe 2 By Bob Wood Newton Aycliffe climbed up to fourth in the Ebac Northern League first division with back-to-back wins in a week. After a 4-1 midweek win over Norton & Stockton Ancients last week, the Newtonians travelled to Sunderland RCA on Saturday. In a match at times played in a hailstorm...

Householders in County Durham and Darlington will pay more council tax to help fund a £300,000 shortfall in government funding. County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Authority agreed its 2016/17 budget and council tax at a meeting of the Combined Fire Authority. The 2016/17 budget was set at £28.608m, which represents a reduction of...

Coundon Durham Ox 1, Huntsman 3 By Craig Woodhead The Huntsman were back in action again on Sunday, away to fellow unbeaten side Coundon Durham Ox FC, knowing a win would see them leapfrog their rivals and go top on goal difference. Manager Neil Dodds was forced into three changes, Jake Johnson deputising in goal, Ryan Durr returned at...