The Journal

IT was one of the most remarkable military missions of the 20th Century, and one John Holdcroft and his comrades will never forget. Mr Holdcroft, who lives in West Boldon, South Tyneside, served in Germany in the late 1940s as part of the team carrying out the Berlin Airlift.

Animal Magic ; North Today: Community

Drugs Farm Raid ; North Today: Crime

A SECRET drugs farm was found hidden underneath a terraced house. When police raided the two-bedroom home in Crook, County Durham, it took them some time to locate the cannabis factory they suspected to be operating inside.

Woman Robbed ; North Today: Police

Mum's Death ; North Today: Court

A MOTHER told police her former partner would kill her just weeks before he strangled her, a court has heard. Nicola Morrin was killed by Stephen Newton at her flat in Bramwell Court, Gosforth, Newcastle, on July 1 last year.

Traffic Halted ; North Today: Transport

TRAFFIC ground to a halt yesterday when a Tyne crossing was closed after an accident. Council staff had to be called to clean an oil-spill, caused by the one-car smash on the Scotswood Bridge, Newcastle, at 3.30pm. Only minor injuries were reported.

Parents in Row Over Prep School Fees Rise ; Chiefs Ask for More Then Freeze Salaries

BOSSES at a leading North East private school have come under fire for putting up pupils' fees to cover a teachers' pay rise... and then freezing staff salaries. Parents who send their children to the exclusive Mowden Hall Preparatory School, near Stocksfield, in Northumberland, have just seen their annual fees go up by almost 2.8% for the new academic year.

Teenager in Court On Murder Charge

A TEENAGER has appeared in court charged with the murder of a Northumberland man. Shane Gray, 19, of Winchester Road, Ashington, appeared before South East Northumberland Magistrates' Court over the death of Lee Matthewson, pictured. Mr Mat-thewson suffered a fatal stab wound to his chest following a fight at a ground-floor flat in Ashington earlier this year.

A Blooming Fine Way to Celebrate Church Anniversary

A FLOWER festival took place as a North East church marked its 110th birthday. St Gabriel's Church, in Heaton, Newcastle, was decked out with more than 20 floral displays to celebrate its 110th anniversary.

Treading On Toes ; Britain Today: Broadcasting

Us Potter Fears ; Britain Today: Literature

Noisy Clubs ; Britain Today: Golf

'Let's Fight to Win This for Britain' ; Labour in Brighton: Brown Issues Rallying Call to Party Faithful

GORDON Brown launched a defiant fightback yesterday with a manifesto of radical reform and a rallying call to his party to not give up the fight. The Prime Minister used his final party conference speech before the election to unveil headline-grabbing proposals which will form the basis of the party's manifesto to voters.

Not Just a Long Goodbye, After All?

AT first it seemed like the long goodbye. Not just for Gordon Brown, but the Labour party.

Hunt for Girl, 13 ; Britain Today: Police