The Fire Brigades’ Union (FBU) has announced details of further planned industrial action in relation to its national dispute over pensions with central government. Members of the FBU plan to hold strikes on the following days: Monday 14 July 06.00 to 08.00 17.00 to 19.00 Tuesday 15 July 06.00 to 08.00 17.00 to...

Durham County Council is cracking down on people who misuse disabled parking badges. From Monday (7th July), enforcement officers will be targeting motorists who abuse the Blue Badge Scheme, which allows disabled drivers to park closer to shops and amenities. Officers will be checking that badges are real and being used by the badge...

Newton Aycliffe have been drawn at home in the FA Cup as two different roads to Wembley opened up on Friday. The draws for both the FA Cup and FA Vase have been made, and in the world famous FA Cup - held by Arsenal - the Newtonians will host Garforth Town, from West Yorkshire. Garforth play at an equivalent level to Dan Mellanby's side,...

Green fingered volunteers are needed to increase home composting and reduce the amount of biodegradable waste going to landfill. Durham County Council will help the volunteers become Master Composters and they will be out and about across County Durham to advise residents on the benefits of composting and giving top tips on how to get the...

Newton Aycliffe schoolchildren were treated to a surprise today when Durham Constabulary's police helicopter dropped in to say hello. The chopper, known as 'Ghetto Bird', made the surprise appearance at Byerley Park Primary on Friday as part of the school's 40th birthday celebrations. "The pupils had a chance to look around the...

Newtonian Andrea Harrison is fundraising for a charity close to her heart. Here, she tells Chloe McKenna why her stillborn baby tragedy inspired her to help others... May 10, 2004, is a date which will stay with Newtonian Andrea Harrison forever. Andrea (pictured above, right) was 41 weeks pregnant when she went into early on-set labour...

A rail union is warning of possible industrial action over the introduction of new high-speed trains which are set to be built in Newton Aycliffe. The Rail, Maritime and Transport union has written to the Government making it clear it will ballot for industrial action if guards and buffet cars are not retained on the new Hitachi fleet,...

Burglars made off with a load of booze when they ransacked a shed in Newton Aycliffe last weekend. The thieves stole about £90-worth of goods from the shed in Wolsey Close, near Woodham Academy, some time between 11pm last Saturday night and 10.30am on Sunday (29th June). The items included bottles of wine and champagne. Anyone who...

Newtonians unhappy about schools being used for polling stations can now have their say. Members of the public are being invited to pitch their views on venues in the County - such as Vane Road School (pictured above) which is a bone of contention locally. The consultation, by Durham County Council, started this week and asks for views...

By Martin Walker Inquisitive primary school children were given a tour of the factory which is fabricating steel for Hitachi Rail Europe's train-building facility in Newton Aycliffe as part of a special project. Thirty year 2 pupils from Heighington Primary, the nearest school to Hitachi's £82m site on Aycliffe Business Park, have been...