Evening Chronicle

Up in Smoke

Plans to make Newcastle a smoke-free city have been dealt a massive blow ( by Health Secretary John Reid. The Minister told the Chronicle in an exclusive interview an all- out ban in public places would lead to more smoke-related deaths.

Family Joy at Charge

The family of Jimmy Mulligan today spoke of their joy after a man was summonsed to appear in court over his death. As exclusively revealed in later edition's of last night's Chronicle, Christopher Eade will appear before magistrates to face a charge of causing death by dangerous driving.

Blaze at Tower Flat

Two men escaped unhurt after a blaze broke out in a flat today. The fire started at the 11th floor flat in the Crowhall Towers block, in Felling, at around 3.45am today.

Gazza Swaps Pitch for Ice Rink

Former footballer Paul Gascoigne is to swap his boots for ice skates as he laces up for a Strictly Come Dancing special. The one-time Newcastle and England star has reportedly agreed to don a sequined outfit and try ice skating for the BBC Christmas show.

Winger Caught Doing 109mph

Speeding Sunderland star Liam Lawrence has been banned from driving. The winger, who joined the club in the summer, was fined pounds 750 and banned for 30 days after being clocked at 109.1mph on a 50mph stretch of the A19 dual carriageway in Sunderland.

Fishermen Are Feared Dead

Relatives of two fishermen missing in the North Sea are fearing the worst today after the search to find them was called off. Rescuers have abandoned their search for missing fishing boat Jann Denise II after an object, believed to be the trawler, was found on the sea bed.

Let There Be Light

Sir Bobby kicks off Christmas celebration Late night shoppers were treated to a blaze of colour as the switch was officially flipped on Newcastle's Christmas lights.

All We Wanted to Do Was Get My Dad's Case Heard Before a Judge and Jury

Jimmy Mulligan's family today spoke of their joy that charges are to be brought in their father's case following two-and-a-half years of campaigning. As reported in later editions of last night's Chronicle, Christopher Eade, 20, of Felling, Gateshead, has been summonsed to appear at Leeds Magistrates next week on a charge of causing death by dangerous driving.

Blair Hounded by Huntsmen

Groups plan legal action over ban Hunt groups are preparing a legal challenge to the ban today.

Screen Icon in Huge Exhibition

She was Playboy's first centrefold and Joe DiMaggio's second wife. Marilyn Monroe possessed a knack for the big splash, particularly if there was a camera nearby ( and it seemed there was always a camera nearby. Now, more than 200 Monroe pictures from 39 photographers ( including such celebrated lensmen as Richard Avedon, Gordon Parks, Robert Frank and Andy Warhol ( are on view at New York's Brooklyn Museum of Art in a new exhibit, I Want To Be Loved by You: Photographs Of Marilyn Monroe. The...

Chirac Visits

Cost of War Transport

The Ministry of Defence spent thousands of pounds buying back old vehicles for the Iraq war that it had sold off at a fraction of the price, it was revealed today. And despite spending thousands more upgrading them, the vehicles did not get to Iraq in time.

United Front Is Needed Against Racism

Spanish fans' taunting of black England players this week provoked bad memories of the dark days of bigotry in North East football. Show Racism the Red Card's Ged Grebby explains why the rest of Europe needs to catch up with the UK The racist abuse was disgusting. It was a throwback to 20 years ago at St James' Park.

Sign Up to Save Jobs

It is devastating to see hundreds of laid-off shipyard workers leaving Swan Hunter for possibly the last time. But it is all the more galling when you know the Government is sitting on MoD contracts which would secure the majority of jobs at the yard.

Health Secretary Dismisses Plans for All-Out Cig Ban

The Health Secretary John Reid has hit out at plans to make Newcastle a smoke-free city. In an exclusive interview with The Chronicle, he said passive smoking was more damaging in the home than the pub, and that there should not be an all-out ban.

We'll Be the First to Benefit

Tyneside will be among the first places to see the benefit of radical new health initiatives outlined in the Government's Public Health White Paper this week. Personal fitness trainers, health advisers and milk and vegetable vouchers for pregnant women are among the schemes aimed at improving health.

Pupils' Online Book

Budding young authors in the North East have been given the chance to create the UK's first ever online storybook. Best-selling children's author Shoo Rayner got together with pupils from Barley Mow Primary School and Kells Lane Primary School in Gateshead for this unique project.

Hero Saves Blazing Ship

Engineer leads firemen to prevent fuel bunker exploding A brave ship's engineer told today how he helped to avert a major disaster when an oil tanker loaded with 300 tons of fuel caught fire.

Knife Attack Man Is Jailed

A shoplifter swung a knife at a security guard when he was caught stealing in a store. Harold Robb had been spotted on a surveillance system trying to pocket a battery charger at Wilkinsons in the Bedford Centre, North Shields.

Gambler Hid Drugs Stash

A teenager hooked on slot machines agreed to provide a safe house for an Ecstasy haul to help fund his gambling habit. Alan Bell was caught with more then 700 of the tablets, Newcastle Crown Court heard.