Children’s outdoor play areas across County Durham could be declared smoke-free zones if members of the public back the proposal. Members of Durham County Council’s Cabinet are being asked to give the go-ahead for a six-month consultation on plans for a voluntary code banning people from smoking at outdoor play areas. The idea has...

By Martin Walker Durham County Council has confirmed it has identified the Greenwell Road car park as a possible short-term fix for market traders in Newton Aycliffe. But the local authority is insisting no decision has yet been made and it is still subject to consultation. Stallholders held their last market in the town last week...

Aycliffe Business Park firm Tekmar Energy has marked a major business milestone after winning a contract on the first US offshore wind farm, Cape Wind. The contract award underlines the cable protection specialist’s industry-leading track record for delivering custom cable protection solutions to the offshore industry. At Cape Wind,...

By Martin Walker A possible resolution to Newton Aycliffe's town centre market fiasco could be found as an offer of a temporary venue has now been made to traders. Durham County Council has offered the car park along Greenwell Road, opposite Star Cabs and Mike's Fish Bar, as a possible short-term alternative after being approached by the...

By Martin Walker Members of Great Aycliffe Town Council have agreed to plan for a fireworks display in the town this year – providing the event meets safety criteria. Safety officers advised the Town Council to cancel the 2013 event after it became “too large” to manage. The council hoped to resurrect the display after plans...

This week marks the 30th anniversary of Volunteers Week and Pioneering Care Partnership (PCP) is holding an event to recognise the invaluable contribution that volunteers make and are keen to support any individuals who would like to give a little of their time to make a big difference. People are invited along to the Pioneering Care Centre...

By Martin Walker Newton Aycliffe’s cricket team lost at promotion rivals Barnard Castle on Saturday. Aycliffe’s first team elected to bat first in their NYSD Division Two clash at Barny but were 104 all out, with Matty Atkinson scoring 28. Pritpal Grewal was 21 not out and Luke Telford 17 scored 17. But it took the home side...

By Martin Walker A man was taken to hospital with serious injuries after a road collision on Aycliffe Business Park. The incident happened at around 12.30pm on Friday (30th May) on Redworth Way. Police officers, firefighters and the ambulance service attended the scene, where they found a Land Rover Defender on its side in the road...

By Martin Walker A free marketing summit for the region, which will enable firms to gain valuable information and advice about inbound marketing, is being organised at Aycliffe Business Park this week. Newton Aycliffe company thrive is bringing industry experts from the world of digital marketing to the Xcel Centre on Friday (6th...

A teenage thug has been jailed for four years after a savage attack outside DL5. Lewis Gash, 19, of Callerton Rise in the town, caused permanent scarring to his victim when he bit him outside the pub in the drink-fuelled incident in August last year. Gash denied a charge of wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, but was...