A tougher approach to suspected hoax callers in the region has led to a big fall in offences and cash savings worth thousands of pounds. The more robust approach to the issue came after staff from Durham Constabulary’s communications centre attended a 'problem solving' workshop in 2010. Those taking part were encouraged to think of...

A range of free activities are being made available at Active Aycliffe’s new Community Shop in the town centre. Free Family activities have been arranged for Saturday and Monday (16th and 18th February) at the new shop in between the Post Office and Leisure Centre. Go along between 10am-3pm and have a go at: · Cardio-tennis · Aqua...

Brodie Millichap picks out this week's TV highlights... Five Picks Of The Week Lewis: Monday 9pm, ITV1. The final episode ever of the popular crime drama sees Lewis and Hathaway investigating the body of a Korean student who went missing 15 years ago. Things take a turn for the worse though when a further two corpses turn...

By Ryan Gillham Durham Wildcats claimed a vital victory and completed a league double over the London Lions with an 89-84 triumph at the Newton Aycliffe Leisure Centre. It was the Wildcats who took the lead early in the opening stanza with Keith Page and Brad Guinane claiming the first baskets but it didn’t take long for the visitors...

A man has been arrested and charged for shoplifting from Newton Aycliffe’s Poundstretcher store. The Aycliffe Neighbourhood Police Team reported on its Facebook page that a male was arrested for shoplifting at Poundstretchers, Beveridge Way, on Saturday (9th February) after he took about £45-worth of household goods. He admitted the...

By Paul McGeary Newton Aycliffe's unbeaten 2013 came to an end with a home reverse to Carlisle-based Celtic Nation. After three straight victories since the turn of the year, Aycliffe suffered their 18th league defeat of the campaign, going down in disappointing fashion. In a lacklustre opening period, Celts player-boss Steve Skinner...

By Martin Walker Phil Wilson has praised a “hugely innovative” scheme which will give Newton Aycliffe companies £2,500 each to create new Apprenticeship roles. A pot of £50,000 has been created to fund 20 new roles for companies in the Aycliffe area. Great Aycliffe and Middridge Partnership (GAMP) and Durham County Council’s...

Two thugs from Newton Aycliffe have been convicted of assault. As revealed by Neighbourhood Police Team Sergeant Mark Edwards in his exclusive blog on Aycliffe Today, Reece Gowing, 18, from Aycliffe, appeared at the town’s Magistrates Court charged with two counts of assault. He was committed to detention for eight weeks, suspended for...

By Martin Walker Famous Newtonian Ross Turnbull has told Aycliffe Today he enjoyed returning to his former school in the town this week. The ex-Middlesbrough goalkeeper, now with Premier League giants Chelsea, dropped into Woodham Academy to speak to PE students at his former stomping ground. Turnbull, an Aycliffe Today blogger, is...

By Martin Walker The boss of one of Newton Aycliffe’s biggest firms says Aycliffe Business Park residents can afford to share knowledge and experience without giving away “secret formulas”. Communication and collaboration are the two main buzz words associated with Aycliffe Business Park, following the successful launch of...