Evening Chronicle

Home's Where the Art Is! ; Graffiti Art On Show in House

GRAFFITI is normally frowned upon - but in one house in Country Durham it has been turned into art. Graham Cleland, 28, has spent weeks spraying the walls of a semi- detached house in Mendip Terrace, south Stanley, with colourful murals.

It Was One of the Most Difficult Decisions I've Had to Make ; He Had Kept a Dignified Silence Until a Tribunal Awarded Him Pounds 2m. But Now It has Reached a Conclusion, Kevin Keegan has Finally Told How He Had No Option but to Leave St James's Park After He Was Driven From the Club He Loves

I TOOK the decision to resign in September 2008 only after very careful and anxious consideration. The decision to resign was one of the most difficult decisions that I have ever had to take in my life. "I believe that anybody who knows me and my attachment to Newcastle United and the North East will understand how difficult this must have been.

Regime Must Go

IF anything was needed to finally nail the discredited regime of Mike Ashley, it was the Kevin Keegan tribunal decision. They were found to have lied over their treatment of the boss and put him in an untenable position. It simply highlights the haphazard, unprofessional, chaotic, shambolic and arrogant way they have treated legends of the games and those who worship them.

Shock Over Oap Robbery

A CLOSE-KNIT community has been left in shock after a pensioner was battered and robbed in his own home. The 67-year-old, of Bedlington Station, in Northumberland, had been asleep but was woken up by a noise during the night.

Green Mayors

MAYORS from across the region joined forces to put the wheels in motion for ecofriendly motoring. The heads of Sunderland, Gateshead, North and South Tyneside, councils were among those who met yesterday to take part in a greener driving challenge.

Clubbers Hit by Cig Blaze

A STRAY cigarette butt sparked a safety scare after a blaze broke out in a nightclub. Firefighters were called to Tup Tup Palace, on St Nicholas' Street, in Newcastle, after a fire broke out in the upstairs smoking area.

Junkie Stole From Great-Gran and a Four-Year-Old Boy ; Thief Is Spared Jail Despite Heartless Spree

A FOUR-YEAR-OLD, a greatgrandma and a close friend were the vulnerable victims of this lowlife thief. Steven Haugh, 31, escaped jail at Gateshead Magistrates when he was handed a suspended prison sentence for a cold-hearted stealing spree.

Calling Back Whickham's Wanderers ; Happy Memories for Primary Teacher and Pupils

FRONT Street Primary School, in Whickham, which celebrated its centenary just this summer, is now having what's hoped to be a reunion to match the occasion. The school, which has played a major part in Whickham's history, and watched over the changes that have taken place over the last century, opened in 1909.

Won't You Please, Please Help Me

WRITER Martin Creasy is calling all Beatles fans for help. He is putting together a book about the six UK tours of the of the group between the beginning of 1963 and the end of 1965. It will include interviews with musicians who toured with the legendary group, plus reporters and photographers who covered the shows, staff from the venues where they played and the boarding houses or hotels where they stayed. But perhaps best of all, the memories of fans who witnessed the excitement at first-hand.

Died On This Day

1226: St Francis. Italian founder of the Franciscan order. 1896: William Morris. Pioneering socialist, artist, writer and designer. 1967: Woody Guthrie. American singer and composer. 1967: Malcolm Sargent. conductor. 1990: Stefano Casiraghi. Husband of Princess Caroline of Monaco. Killed in a powerboat accident.

Born On This Day

1911: Sir Michael Hordern (deceased). British stage and screen actor, whose work includes The Wind in the Willows. 1916: James Herriot (deceased). Scottish vet and author - real name James Alfred Wight - whose works include All Creatures Great and Small. 1925: Gore Vidal. American author, whose works include Williwaw and Messiah. 1938: Eddie Cochran (deceased). Singer, whose hits include C'mon Everybody and Summertime Blues. 1941: Chubby Checker. American singer, famous for recording The Twis...

Happened This Day

1678: The Taj Mahal was completed. 1863: President Abraham Lincoln declared that the last Thursday in November would be recognised as Thanksgiving Day.

Panto Makes Waves

ACTORS took to the water in preparation for the sea-faring adventures of Dick Whittington. Cast members gathered at Durham riverside in full costume to launch the Gala Theatre's pantomime.

Family Dispute Ends in Court

A MAN smashed a cousin's window then threatened to make her life a misery if she didn't drop the case. Glen Kirsopp was given a suspended prison sentence and ordered to do 100 hours unpaid work for a chain of events after a family fall out.

Killer Admits Pushing Ex Off Edge of Cliff ; Assault During Holiday Row Was Just an 'Accident'

KILLER Stephen Newton had admitted pushing his victim off a cliff ledge during a row in Corfu. Newton told murder trial jurors he had lashed out in fury after Nicola Morrin had wound him up and claimed he never meant to cause her to tumble down the drop.

Businesses Getting Help to Clean Up

BUSINESSES are being encouraged to take pride in their community and keep it clean. Gateshead Council is marking the success of firms which deal with rubbish responsibly through its 'Tidy Business Awards' . The scheme has been successful in outlying areas in the borough and has now been expanded to cover the main shopping and business area of Gateshead.

Wrapped Up in War Memories ; Map Helped Allied Troops Avoid Capture Behind Enemy Lines

FOR more than 70 years, great grandmother Priscilla Smailes has kept a secret that saved the lives of thousands of men. The 88-year-old has a precious silk map scrawled with the hidden locations of enemy troops in France during the Second World War.

Violent Dispute

A MAN was aggressive to police officers called out to a disturbance. Officers saw Jonathan Thurgood shouting at a woman.

Advice to Shed Weight

PEOPLE have lost pounds on a pilot council-run course. Now many more slimmers have the chance to follow in their footsteps.

Library Back Online

LIBRARY computers that were knocked out of action by a virus will be back up and running on Monday. The People's Network PCs in all of North Tyneside's 15 libraries were affected by the virus earlier this week. Signs were put up in the buildings telling residents efforts were being made to restore the facilities as soon as possible.