A freeze in council tax for the fourth year running, increased investment in projects to kick start the economy and job creation and higher spend on areas of adult social care. Those are amongst the headlines of Durham County Council’s proposed budget which will go before the authority’s Cabinet next week. The paper, which also...

Electronics group Filtronic boosted its interim turnover by 56% thanks to soaring sales from its wireless division. The Newon Aycliffe business reported sales of £16.4m for the six months to the end of November, compared to £10.5m in the first half of the previous year. The company also reported an operating profit, before...

The Welsh Secretary was in the region yesterday to see at first hand the plant that will be build the next generation of trains which will eventually link Wales with London as well as being used across the UK. David Jones MP visited the £70m facility being developed by Merchant Place Developments on Aycliffe Business Park which will be...

Brodie Millichap picks out this week's TV highlights... Five Picks Of The Week Death In Paradise: Tuesday 9pm, BBC1. DI Poole is called to investigate the shooting of a geologist, who was part of a treasure hunting team on the trail of the loot of a legendary pirate. Things turn nasty though when there are several attempts made on the...

By Martin Walker Police are appealing for information after a bus driver was assaulted in Newton Aycliffe. The town's Neighbourhood Policing Team would like to speak to the man pictured above in relation to the incident. The Arriva bus was travelling down Shafto Way, close to the roundabout with Central Avenue, at around 5.30pm on...

Chelsea star and proud Newtonian Ross Turnbull pens a regular blog on Aycliffe Today… Flying out to Japan for the World Club Championship just before Christmas was another great experience. It was disappointing not to have won it, to go all that way, you want to come back as World Club Champions, but it wasn’t to be. Corinthians are...

Cloud computing specialist Big Little Fish is gearing up to introduce a groundbreaking new product to North-East businesses which could revolutionise the way firms operate in the region. The County Durham technology business is to host a major event which aims to show the region’s businesses how they can take advantage of the latest...

By Martin Walker Two men admitted stealing fuel from a lorry parked in Newton Aycliffe after embarking on a diesel-thieving rampage. The pair attempted to steal fuel from parked trucks throughout County Durham and North Yorkshire. They thought they'd hit the jackpot when they managed to get £250-worth from a lorry parked up near Oak...

By Martin Walker Newton Aycliffe MP Phil Wilson says we need to remember how far the town centre has come along in recent years, after a £2m makeover was revealed. We exclusively revealed the fourth phase of the town centre plans on Thursday, which includes demolishing the ramp and giving the centre a facelift. £2M TOWN CENTRE...

By Martin Walker Companies on Aycliffe Business Park are being invited to attend an important launch event next week. The Steering Group for Aycliffe Business Park, the second largest industrial estate in the North East covering 672 acres, are encouraging companies to attend the event at the Xcel Centre on Friday 1st February. And...