The Journal

Mother's Victory Over Card Giant ; Court Ruling Wipes Out Unfair Debt

ANORTH East mother has won a landmark legal battle against a credit card company that could open the floodgates for millions of people to have their bills wiped out. Lynne Thorius, 49, of South Shields, is the first person to see her debt cancelled in court because she was unfairly sold payment protection insurance.

Shearer's Pride Over New Role ; Honour

Bomb Blast Family Wins Cash Award ; Latest

THE family of a North East woman who died four years ago in a bomb blast has been awarded more than pounds 1m in compensation by the Turkish authorities, it was reported last night. Helyn Bennett, 23, from Spennymoor, County Durham, was among five people killed when an explosion ripped through a minibus packed with tourists in the Turkish resort of Kusadasi in 2005.

Inside Today

Read Our New Blog by Mum Leanne Chambers On Her Battle with Cancer

Thousands Welcome Their 'Little Flower' ; Wo Rshippers Queue to See Saint'S Relics

THOUSANDS of worshippers made a pilgrimage to Tyneside to visit the relics of a 19th century French nun, known as "The Little Flower". A casket containing a collection of bones of St Thrse of Lisieux went on display at St Andrew's Roman Catholic Church, in Newcastle's Worswick Street.

'You Could Not Find a More Iconic Person Than Alan, Not Just for What He has Done in Football but for All the Extra Work He Tirelessly Does for Charity and Communities' ; Shearer Picked As Deputy Lieutenant

SOCCER favourite Alan Shearer last night told of his pride as he landed a prestigious and centuries-old ceremonial role. The former Newcastle United goal scoring hero has been made a Deputy Lieutenant of Northumberland, after the appointment was approved by the Queen.

'My Hell of Being Trapped in Paradise' ; Businessman Returns to His Family in North

ABUSINESS owner accused of murder on a Spanish holiday island has spoken for the first time about being allowed home. Coach company boss Stephen Johnson has been "trapped in paradise" since police in Tenerife accused him of fatally stabbing a 25-year- old Moroccan in January 2008.

Lotto

Car Torched ; North Today: Crime

A SUSPECTED stolen car was torched and destroyed. The Skoda Superb was dumped and set alight on Stella Lane, Blaydon, in Gateshead, last night.

Tv Duo Back Bid ; North Today: Football

ANT and Dec have backed the bid to bring the World Cup to Newcastle's St James's Park. Newcastle and Gateshead are bidding to host matches should England win the right to host the 2018 tournament.

Woman Robbed ; North Today: Crime

Bedroom Blaze ; North Today: Flat Fire

POLICE are probing a suspicious fire in Brandon, Durham. The blaze broke out in the bedroom of a flat in Oak Green at about 10pm last night.

Labour Keep Their Chins Up After the Sun Clouds Conference ; Ministers Rally Round After Paper's Switch

LABOUR ministers and activists rallied round Gordon Brown yesterday after he lost the support of The Sun newspaper, with deputy leader Harriet Harman telling the newspaper: "We won't be bullied." And union leader Tony Woodley won cheers from delegates at the party's Brighton conference by angrily tearing up a copy of The Sun on-stage.

Burnham Acts On Parking Charges

HEALTH Secretary Andy Burnham yesterday announced a partial scrapping of hospital car parking charges but could not guarantee NHS job losses as spending cuts loom. Charges for in-patients will be phased out over the next three years with a permit allowing friends and relatives to visit for free - although it will only cover one car at any one time and excludes out-patients.

Bid for Control ; Conference Today: Government

Pensions Deficit ; Conference Today: Royal Mail

Nuclear Issues ; Conference Today: Defence

Tackling Racism ; Conference Today: Education

SCHOOLS' Secretary Ed Balls yesterday announced a new investigation into the problem of racism in education. He told the Labour Party conference he wanted to make sure there were powers to tackle racism and BNP activity in schools.

Cabinet Preparing for a Trip North

GORDON Brown could soon bring his Cabinet to the North East, The Journal understands. The news comes after the Prime Minister announced he will visit every region in the country as part of his latest political fightback launched at the Labour conference in Brighton.