Witnesses said that, at around 10.00am, the woman was struck by a reversing pick-up truck as she waited to cross Newgate Street.

The woman was conscious when the ambulance took her to Darlington Memorial Hospital for treatment to a head injury, which was sustained when she hit a parking sign due to the force of the vehicle’s impact.

Paul Beal, 29, of St. Cuthberts Way, Carl Thexton, 31, from Aclet Close, and Peter Hauxwell, from Tindale Crescent, appeared in court alongside Mark Dunn, who is from Spennymoor, and entered no plea.

The case was committed to Durham Crown Court, where the men will be tried on Thursday, March 11th.

The couple stopped Lyndon on the street, after pulling up in a Nissan Micra, and handed him a box of Licourice Allsorts. Lyndon did not realise that the box of sweets contained a massive bundle of cash until his drama teacher opened the box.

Tammy Shevels, Lyndon’s mother, said, “I think it is marvelous. I would just like them to get in touch because I would like to thank them myself.”

The money will go towards the ‘Limbs for Lyndon fund’ unless the couple get in touch to advise otherwise.

An exhibition, “North East Insights”, by Bill Hindmarch will be on display in the McGuinness gallery between Monday, March 8th and Saturday, March 27th.

Folk fans can look forward to a Wednesday, March 17th, Irish Night with Steam Radio, who will re-work some traditional numbers and perform origianl material. Tickets cost £8 and include traditional Irish food.

For more information about these and other great events at the Town Hall, call 01388 602610.

A spokesperson for the police said, “Everyone is welcome, whether it’s to talk to us and learn more about your local Neighbourhood Beat Team, to inform us of any issues or concerns you may have in your area, or simply just to satisfy your curiosity and get your hands on some money-off vouchers.

“Hope to see you there!”

Bishops created the first chance when a ball into the box was spilled and Amar Purewal dinked the ball up over the stranded ‘keeper only for the shot to be cleared by a defender.

Horden had the next chance of the match, but Bishops ‘keeper Jeffries was in fine form and blocked a shot. The ball went out for a corner, which nearly led to an effort that was cleared off the line by Arjun Purewal.

A minute later Jeffries had to make a another fine save, this was followed by a long spell of uninspiring play from the Bishops.

Despite underperforming, Bishops almost took the lead on 40 minutes. Gredziak chested the ball forward to Emson, whose twisting run beat two defenders before his low shot hit a defender’s heel to ricochet just wide.

Emson missed another chance on the stroke of half time, but all in all a poor half which the home side probably just edged.

The second half started quietly. Turnbull replaced the booked Drummond on 58 minutes.

Bishops began to exert some pressure and took the lead on 63 minutes. Ord played a high ball down the left wing to Emson who raced into the box before slotting a fine low cross to Gredziak who tapped home from three yards.

Bishops top scorer almost doubled the lead on 70 minutes when Grant lifted a ball into the box and Gredziak looped a header beyond the ‘keeper but over the bar.

Bishop began to pile on the pressure and began to pummel the Horden goal. However, from one fine save the ball broke quickly into Bishops half; the danger was averted when quick-thinking Jeffries advanced out of his box and used his feet to hit the ball clear.

Adam Strong replaced the injured Amar Purewal on 78 minutes.

Bishops settled the game on 83 minutes when Wayne Gredziak headed the ball over the back line to Adam Emson who lashed home at the near post from 15 yards to make it 2-0.

Joe Grant limped off on 85 minutes to be replaced by Darren Richardson, making his first appearance since his November injury.

In injury time Bishop were denied a cast iron penalty when Emson had his legs swept out from under him in a crowded area.

The match finished in high farce as the ball was hit high into Bishops area deep into injury time. Jeffries rose to collect the ball but was whacked into by a forward and the ball spilled out into the goal.

The referee blew the whistle and waved his arm vaguely, and before anyone could determine whether he had awarded a free kick or a goal he blew the whistle for full time. Bemused spectators left the ground still unsure as to what the final score was. The result was confirmed by the referee in the tunnel after most had left the ground.

Despite the confusion at the final whistle, it was a good result, one which lifts Bishops up to 14th and an increasingly comfortable 13 points above the relegation places.

Final Score: Horden CW 0 Bishop Auckland 2.

Durham County Council says it is doing its best to minimise problems the works will cause in the town centre but temporary road closures will be in effect until March 29th. During this time, two way traffic lights will
be in operation around the rear of the Town Hall.

The Town’s Food Festival, to be held Saturday, April 17th, should not be affected by the works.

Chris Myers, Durham County Council’s Town Centres Development Manager, said, “I would like to thank everyone for their patience while these essential works are completed. I would also like to assure everyone that we are doing everything we can to minimise disturbance and inconvenience, while making sure the work is high quality and will be of benefit to all.

“The council also wishes to apologise for any inconvenience experienced by motorists who will no longer be able to use the disabled parking bays opposite the Town Hall. Alternative disabled parking bays are
available in the North Bondgate and Newgate Centre car parks (a charge is applicable.)”

At the end of March, when phase 1 of the Market Place project is complete, new fullsized parking bays will be ready for use, located within the parking and taxi rank area.

The works are funded by Durham County Councils Capital Programme and Urban & Rural Renaissance Initiative, and are being carried out by in-house experts. The phase 2 road realignment should be completed and reopened
ahead of the Station Bridge replacement works, which are scheduled to begin on the March 29th, to avoid two road closures in the town at the same time.

Sixteen Officers raided the two premises and nearly £3,000 in cash and a substantial quantity of drugs were seized.

A 53 year-old man was arrested in one room of the hotel and a 44 year-old woman was arrested in Leeholme.

Inspector Martin Peace said the raids were a success and that the drugs were suspected to belong to one of the towns major suppliers.

The owner of the Grand Hotel welcomed the police action and said he had no knowledge that there were drugs in the room.

The raids were part of Operation NIMROD, an ongoing crackdown on drugs in the County Durham and Darlington area.

If anyone has any information about drug dealing in their area they are urged to ring Durham Police on 0345 6060365 or anonymously to crime stoppers on 0800 555111.

The St. George’s Day Bash, which will be held at The Grand on Friday, April 23rd, will feature local bands The Steady Boys from Bishop Auckland, The Alma Underpass from Shildon, and Six Nowt from Byers Green.

The event has proved so popular, that it has sold-out almost two months before it takes place.

A spokesperson for the scooter club said that members wanted to give something back to those who gave so much for their country. David Powell said, “We just feel as though we want to give as much help back to these brave servicemen and women as we can. One such man was a young man from Bishop Auckland, Corporal Lee Brownson, a young family man with a very bright future in the British Army.

“He served with distinction and led from the front with his fellow riflemen as a member of 3 Rifles BG in Helmand Province, Afghanistan.

“Our aim is to raise as much as we can for these Real Heroes from our town, our county and our country, his sacrifice can never be repaid, but all money raised will be paid directly into Help for Heroes / 3 Rifles wristband appeal”

All proceeds of the event are to be donated to Help for Heroes and the 3 Rifles BG Wristband Appeal.

For further information on the event, visit www.bishopaucklandscooterclub.piczo.com. For further information or to donate, visit Help for Heroes at http://www.helpforheroes.org.uk/, and the 3 Rifles Wristband Appeal at http://www.swiftandbold.org.

The event is being held in in celebration of International Women’s Day, a major day of global celebration for the economic, political and social achievements of women, past, present and future.

The conference will take place from 10.00am to 1.00pm at Bishop Auckland Town Hall.

There is a full schedule of speakers including Wear Valley Women’s Aid, Girl Guides and the Women’s Institute. Business Link will also be holding a workshop for women looking to start a new business. There will be a number of stalls with
information on local services and support for women.

For more information, or to register, contact Helen Goodman’s constituency office on 01388 603075 or email Brynnen, on ririeb@parliament.uk. Alternatively, write to Helen at 1 Cockton Hill Road, Bishop Auckland, County Durham, DL14 6EN.