Communities Secretary Eric Pickles MP has welcomed the news that Durham County Council is signing up to the Government’s Troubled Families programme. Mr Pickles said he was delighted that 1,320 families in Durham may now receive extra help to get children into school, reduce youth crime and anti-social behaviour and put adults on a path...

Electronics group Filtronic is set to beat its turnover target for the year after strong sales in both of its divisions. The Newton Aycliffe-based business, which makes products for the mobile phone and broadband markets, said that sales for the year to the end of May are expected to reach £13m. The prediction is £1m ahead of the...

Sports journalist and Newton Aycliffe FC reporter Glen Robertson writes a regular Euro 2012 blog for Aycliffe Today… DAY THREE REVIEW Spain 1-1 Italy The game of the tournament so far as favourites Spain played out a very entertaining draw against Italy. The Spaniards sprung a surprise with their starting line-up by not naming a...

Brodie Millichap picks out this week's TV highlights... Five Picks of the Week Murdoch, Cameron& The £8 Billion Deal: Channel 4 Dispatches: Monday 8pm, Channel 4. Channel 4 special - investigating the relationship between Prime Minister David Cameron and the Murdoch Empire. On the back of the Leveson inquiry this is likely to be an...

By Martin Walker Phil Wilson has called for bus company Arriva to reinstate a service after dozens of villagers near Newton Aycliffe have been left isolated by its axing. Around a hundred residents of Brafferton, more than half of which are aged over 60, have signed the petition over the loss of the number 5a service. The regular bus...

By Martin Walker Martin Young says Newton Aycliffe is a great place for him to play football – and can’t wait for the new season to start already. The former Hartlepool United professional joined Aycliffe this week as boss Allan Oliver added him and ex-Whitley Bay winger Kris Hughes to his ranks. Young played for West Auckland...

Sports journalist and Newton Aycliffe FC reporter Glen Robertson writes a regular Euro 2012 blog for Aycliffe Today… DAY TWO REVIEW Denmark 1-0 Netherlands The first upset of the tournament as Denmark battled to victory against a Netherlands side that looked like a collection of individuals, rather than a cohesive unit. Despite the...

The heavens opened and soaked the fans in a continuous torrent of rain – but they ignored the weather to enjoy a thrilling show when Coldplay appeared at the Stadium of Light on Thursday night. Hundreds of Newtonians made the journey made the journey to Sunderland as more than 50,000 people packed into the stadium. Coldplay opened with...

By Martin Walker Olympic hopeful Jason Steele is getting behind a campaign urging people to donate £1 to his local non-league football club. The Middlesbrough goalkeeper is supporting his hometown side, Northern League outfit Newton Aycliffe, in their ‘Give Us A Quid!’ fundraising drive. They’re encouraging football supporters...

By Martin Walker Byerley Park School will complete an Olympic dream when they form a huge Guard of Honour during the games’ Opening Ceremony. As reported by Aycliffe Today last Thursday, eight students from the school will join 249 other schools from across the UK to make up the 2,000-strong team of youngsters who will line the route,...