The Journal

Will Labour Be Second Best On New Authority? ; Backlash at the Ballot

LABOUR leaders in the North East were last night bracing themselves for a ballot backlash following a raft of unpopular decisions by the Government. In Northumberland Labour candidates were preparing to battle for power as councillors faced up to the prospect of the new authority having no overall control.

Arrests After Cow Is Spray-Painted

Shearer's Appeal

Owen Drops In

Foster Honour

Vandals Spray Paint Cow ; Teenagers Arrested On Town Moor

AN ANGRY farmer who grazes cows on Newcastle's Town Moor yesterday told how his animals had been spray-painted in the face by schoolboys. Police were called on Wednesday evening by a number of people who saw the four boys, two of whom were on motorbikes, spraying graffiti on a bridge over the grassland at Kenton, behind the Newcastle United Golf Club.

Nazi Graffiti Found On City Cathedral

A CHURCH leader expressed his dismay yesterday after Nazi graffiti was found scrawled on an historic cathedral. Swastikas and the word 'Satan' were drawn on a sign attached to one of the outer walls of St Nicholas Cathedral in Newcastle's city centre.

North Today: Beacon Blunder ; Search

LIFEBOATS frantically searched for a discarded satellite yesterday that was eventually found under fish heads in a harbour skip. RNLI crews from Tynemouth, Cullercoats and Blyth were scrambled at 4pm to trace an emergency beacon that had emitted a distress call.

North Today: Free Microchips ; Guidance

North Today: Peruvian Trek ; Fundraising

North Today: Not Guilty Plea ; Safety

BOSSES at a North business have pleaded not guilty to breaching health and safety laws. Consett Steel Services Ltd, based on the Bradley Industrial Estate, Leadgate, Consett, County Durham, denied two counts of breaking Section 2 (1) of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974.

Brown Is Braced for a Pummelling ; Local Elections 2008 Insiders Fear 200 Seats Could Be Lost

PRIME Minister Gordon Brown was braced for a pummelling in the polls as counting started in the local elections last night. Labour insiders feared the party could shed up to 200 council seats amid widespread anger over the 10p tax rate abolition and sniping at Mr Brown's leadership.

Poll Results Grim Reading for Labour ; Local Elections 2008

THE Tories have doubled their lead over Labour over the past month, according to an opinion poll. The ComRes poll for The Independent put the Conservatives on 40%, two points up on last month and 14 points ahead of Labour who are down five points on 26%. The Liberal Democrats are up three points on 20% while the other parties remain unchanged on 14%.

Labour Are Preparing for Worst in County ; Local Elections 2008

LABOUR leaders in Northumberland are today bracing themselves for the possibility of being second best on the new authority as voters "punish" local councillors for the party's national policies. After a day spent persuading would-be voters to place a cross next to the name of Labour candidates, many potential councillors are privately preparing to lose control of the county council and the new unitary authority, which any councillors picked today will lead from April next year.

Voted in to Finish Work of Councils ; Local Elections 2008

VOTERS in Durham and Northumberland have today selected the candidates they want to finish the work of the two county councils and form the new unitary authorities. Former county councillors have stepped down and new representatives have been chosen to oversee the transition period towards the new councils which take power in April next year.

Britain Today: Boy, 3, 'Escapes' ; Childcare

Britain Today: Jasper's Mission ; Air Safety

Britain Today: Joanna Sees Lights ; Film

Britain Today: No Police Charges ; Dj's Death

Britain Today: Drive-Thru Cuppas ; Catering