By Martin Walker Teesside pop singer Amelia Lily will switch on the Christmas lights in Newton Aycliffe this week as part of the town centre's re-launch celebrations. The 19-year-old X Factor star will sing five songs during an hour-long stint in Aycliffe shopping centre on Saturday (November 16). Lily, from Middlesbrough, finished...

Dr Simon Goon is only four months into his new role of managing director of Business Durham, but he has already identified Aycliffe Business Park as a “jewel in the crown”. Goon succeeded Stewart Watkins, who retired in the summer after more than 30 years with the organisation previously known as the County Durham Development Company...

Local photographer David Stocks captured these stunning pictures from Sunday's Remembrance Day proceedings in Newton Aycliffe... ...

Aycliffe Today editor Martin Walker looks back on an eventful but hugely-important week for Newton Aycliffe... Some people are never happy. When you see millions of pounds being invested to improve our town centre, an international company spending £82m to build a landmark train-building factory on our doorstep and exciting plans...

By Martin Walker The Mayor of Newton Aycliffe has admitted the long-awaited overhaul of our town centre is "overdue" - but says it's now wonderful. Councillor Barbara Clare and her consort, Durham County Councillor John Clare, had a look around the new shopping centre on Friday. The centre's owners, property management firm Freshwater...

By Martin Walker Japanese firm Hitachi Rail Europe say they already feel part of the community in Newton Aycliffe. Hitachi’s £82m train-building factory took a huge step forward last week when Business Secretary Vince Cable visited Aycliffe Business Park for a special ceremony to mark the beginning of construction. Darlington firm...

  Newton Aycliffe displayed their character to edge past Bedlington Terriers and move into the top 10 of the Northern League Division One. Jamie Owens scored his second of the contest - his 24th of the campaign - with nine minutes remaining after the hosts had wiped out a two-goal deficit. It was the Royal Blues' third league win...

By Paul McGeary A familiar face will be back in Aycliffe colours as they travel to Bedlington Terriers this afternoon, after boss Allan Oliver signed former goalkeeper Andrew Spence from Sunderland RCA. Oliver moved for the 28-year-old stopper, with current number one Gareth Young struggling through injury and a recent loss of form,...

Middlesbrough goalkeeper Jason Steele admits the Teessiders need to change their mentality if they’re to improve their disappointing 2013-14 season so far. Boro entertain promotion-chasing Watford at the Riverside tomorrow having lost at Blackburn last week. But that was on the back of a thumping televised win at home to Doncaster in...

Newton Aycliffe police are hunting two thugs after an ugly incident in the Horndale area on Tuesday. At about 9.15pm on Tuesday (November 5), a vehicle has been damaged in Winterburn Place, and two people were then assaulted. The suspects were two young males, believed to be aged about 20-years-old and wearing hoodies, while one was also...