The first phase of a major development to bring new jobs, housing and business to a County Durham town is expected to be completed by the summer. Durham County Council is reassuring residents after unforeseen problems caused delays affecting roadworks in the A167/A688 Thinford roundabout area – which a lot of Aycliffe residents use to...

By Martin Walker Darlington boss Craig Liddle was given a special award at the North-East football writers annual dinner at the weekend. The region’s football community came together to celebrate the very best of the 2010-11 football season and to raise funds for the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation. Aycliffe firm Mantis Media, producers...

Two men were due to appear before Newton Aycliffe magistrates today after they were charged with breaking into properties, after serious 'leg work' from a police dog and its handler. Around 1am on Sunday morning, police received a report of suspicious activity in the Low Coniscliffe area of Darlington where a number of vehicles, garages and...

By Martin Walker A stunning new pier which will dominate the skyline of a North-East seaside resort is starting to take shape. Newton Aycliffe firm Finley Structures have completed the steel framework for the Vertical Pier, due to open later this year, as part of Redcar and Cleveland Council’s multi-million pound redevelopment...

Newton Aycliffe NPT Sergeant Mark Edwards begins his weekly blog on Aycliffe Today… Well, first things first. I’d like to thank Aycliffe Today for inviting me to write a blog on here. I’ll try and keep this relevant and interesting (after all, I guess you’re reading this because you want to know what’s going on here in the town...

Green little fingers will be exploring the wonder of growing fruit and vegetables thanks to funding from Great Aycliffe and Middridge Partnership (GAMP). Walworth Special School is a primary school for children with social, emotional and behavioural difficulties and funding will pay for an allotment which will allow the children to learn...

Accident investigators are appealing for witnesses to an incident in Bishop Auckland at the weekend which saw three pedestrians injured after they were struck by a car. It happened at 5.30pm on Saturday, 4th February on Eldon Bank in the town as a blue Ford Fiesta was heading north towards Eldon crossroads. Due to the icy conditions the...

From Byerley Park School to head of finance at Comedy Central in London, Gareth Jackson is the subject of our first Aycliffe Exiles feature, as he talks to Martin Walker… Speaking from his plush Oxford Street office in the middle of London, Gareth Jackson remains as grounded as ever despite a hugely-successful career to date. The...

By Martin Walker Aycliffe police are trying to crack down on the use of illegal off-road bikes in the town. Our local Neighbourhood Policing Team is working hard to identify and reprimand people who use the ‘mini motos’. The nuisance bikes, which can only be legally used on designated land with the landowners’ permission, are...

Brodie Millichap picks out this week’s TV highlights… Five picks of the week The Diamond Queen: Monday BBC1, 9pm. The first of a three part series that sees Andrew Marr look back over the Queen’s 60 years on the throne. He begins by reviewing the duties that Queen Elizabeth carries out both at home and abroad. Expect to see...