How to keep your children safe on the internet
One child in six has experienced bullying online and nearly half have seen something unpleasant. Do you know how to protect your children?
Graeme Jarman murder trial at Newcastle Crown Court
A man has gone on trial accused of bludgeoning a pensioner to death with a hammer.
Consett man seriously ill after being struck by a car
Emergency crews were called to Rotary Way, Consett after a man was struck by a car close to a roundabout on the town's bypass.
Live updates
Wooden cross "erected without permission"
A wooden cross erected on a remote moor in County Durham ahead of an Easter service was removed to protect a site of special scientific interest, a council has said.
It had been believed that thieves stole the 10ft cross from Waskerley Moor above Consett, which had been erected during Lent.
Methodist minister Rev Les Nevin told the Northern Echo he would collect the cross from whoever had taken it, adding:
– Rev Les Nevin"If you are so short of wood that you need to take a cross, I'd be pleased to give you the £26 it cost me to buy the wood so you can buy some more."
However, it later emerged that Durham County Council removed the cross as it had been concreted into the moor which is a site of scientific interest without permission.
– Andy Niven, countryside service manager"This cross, which was over 10 feet tall, was erected in February in an area which is a site of special scientific interest.
"It was dug into the ground and concreted in without any warning and without consent or advice on the potential impact it might have on this very rare habitat being sought.
"There was nothing on it to say who had put it there and neither the council, as landowner, or Natural England, which is responsible for SSSI areas, were asked for permission or advice.
"As a result we had no choice but to remove it and this was done on February 20."
Concern for missing pensioner
Police are trying to trace a County Durham man suffering from dementia who has gone missing from home.
It's thought 76-year-old Jimmy Annan, of Maple Court, in Consett, may have caught a bus from the town to Newcastle earlier this afternoon.
It's feared Mr Annan may be in a confused state and police believe he may have headed to the city's Grainger Market where he used to drink in a pub which no longer exists.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Durham Police
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Children learn to stay safe on the internet
by Derek ProudPupils at the Grove Primary School in Consett are learning how to stay safe on the internet as part of the NSPCC's Safer Internet Day- but surveys show the extent of bullying online: nationally more than one in six children have experienced it, and 41% have seen something hurtful or unpleasant.
You can see our tips for keeping your children safe online here and watch the full report from Derek Proud below:
How to keep your children safe on the internet
One child in six has experienced bullying online and nearly half have seen something unpleasant. Do you know how to protect your children?
Read the full storyMan stabbed in Consett gym
A man has been airlifted to the RVI in Newcastle after being stabbed in a gym in Consett.
Police were called to Bell Vue Leisure Centre in Ashdale Road just after two o'clock this afternoon, following a report that two men were fighting in the gym.
A 22-year-old man suffered stab injuries and his condition remains unknown.
A 20-year-old man has been arrested in connection with the incident and has been taken to Durham City police station for questioning.
A spokesman from Durham Police said the incident was contained and there was no risk to other members of the public.
Consett dieter supporting others after losing nine stone
Christmas can be a difficult time for anyone who is trying to lose weight, and one woman from Consett is encouraging people to stick at their diets after fighting her own serious health battle with her weight.
Earlier this year, Maxine was told by her doctor that if she did not lose 15 stone, then she would die.
Nine months later, Maxine has already lost nine stone and feels that she has now learned a new way of living.
She now wants to help others navigate through a dieter's most feared time of the year.
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Police launch campaign against vandals
Police in Consett are launching a campaign to warn people of the consequences of causing criminal damage.
There has been an increase in reports of criminal damage on the main routes out of the town. The reports have coincided with the times people make their way home from a night out. Police say people who commit criminal damage can expect an £80 fixed penalty notice.
Vera's six decade-spanning Poppy Appeal
A County Durham poppy appeal organiser is celebrating almost seventy years of helping the Royal British Legion.
Seventy three year old Vera Parnaby was out collecting in Consett today - 68 years after she first began helping her mother when she was only five.
Vera's father George died on active service in the Second World War and Vera and her family have been helping to fund raise ever since.
Even in hard times, she says, people are still happy to contribute.
Consett pensioner marks 65 years of poppy-selling
A woman from Consett is marking selling poppies for the Poppy appeal for over sixty years.
78-year-old Vera Parnaby lost her father during the Second World War when she was only three-years-old when he was killed in a road accident on a British Army base.
She then began selling poppies with her mother Annie, who had previously helped launched the woman's section of the Royal British Legion.
Vera has organised the Consett and District Poppy appeal this year, and believes that Remembrance day is still relevant today because of the number of British soldiers who are still on active duty in Afghanistan.
Sparks from chimney likely cause of fire alert
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Police say the likely cause of a house fire was caused by sparks landing on some logs which resulted in a terraced house filling with smoke.
Fire crews were called to Laburnum Avenue, Consett, in the early hours of Saturday morning.