Newton Aycliffe, England News

IT has been a challenging few months for our Fit Factor team, but after 12 weeks of intense workouts the six participants have collectively lost more than 22 stone.

Police have recovered 300 cannabis plants worth around A 131,000 from a terraced house on the outskirts of Durham.

A TEENAGER who hit a man several times with a dog lead while on bail for threatening to glass a police officer has been sentenced.

POLICE are appealing for help to trace the driver of a van that hit a man on Newton Aycliffe Industrial Estate.

AN investigation is underway after a bike was stolen from an 11-year-old boy while he was playing in the woods with his friends.

A coroner has warned of the dangers of hoarding and criticised TV programmes for trivialising the issue after a pensioner died in a fire in a house packed with clutter.

THE trial date for an alleged fraudster, accused of a large-scale iPad sale scam, has been moved back until later this year.

GOLF LESSONS: Free taster golf sessions for children are to take place at Woodham Golf Club Junior Academy, Newton Aycliffe .

A TEENAGER who lost part of a leg to cancer is celebrating after he and his partner won a national gymnastics title.

Broomsdene, near Consett , and Cragwood, near Evenwood, which councillors voted to close last April, will shut on Friday, May 31.

A GYM owner whose expansion proposals were refused planning permission says the decision will prevent the creation of new jobs and affordable fitness opportunities.

A MAN blamed his dyslexia for failing to list all of his previous convictions on an application for a firearms certificate, a court heard.

DIG UNDER WAY: Martin Railton, from Wardell Armstrong Archaeology, watches a digger start work on the site of the Hitachi train factory last month A JAPANESE manufacturer has reiterated its commitment to employ as many North-East workers as possible on the project to bring train building back to the birthplace of the railways.

A NORTH EAST manufacturer has secured a A 20,000 contract after using a training centre's specialist facilities to complete the order.

GOLF SESSION: A free group golf taster lesson is to be held at Woodham Golf and Country Club, Newton Aycliffe .

THE final piece of the jigsaw to bring train building back to the North-East has been put in place, paving the way for jobs and investment.

BUSINESS Secretary Vince Cable will be in the region today to hand over cash from the government's flagship jobs scheme and back a drive to create more apprentices.

He is described as white, with a fair complexion, 5ft 7" tall, of slim build, with hazel eyes and short light brown hair.

ANNUAL MEETINGS: Gainford and Langton's annual parish meeting will take place tonight in the village hall.

TWO schools have been rewarded for supporting pupils who have caring responsibilities at home and others are being encouraged to follow their example.