April
A pure white week-old calf called Phoenix survives a cull on a Devon farm and becomes a symbol of hope for the nation as the number of foot-and-mouth cases tops 1,000; The death knell sounds for steelmaking on Teesside; Sir Harry Secombe dies and Sunderland's Metric Martyr is convicted for selling bananas by the pound.
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The plight of farmers in his North East heartland persuades Prime Minister Tony Blair to scrap his plans for a May 3 election in favour of a June 7 poll. This is the first time an election date has been delayed since the second World War.
A stretch of Durham coastline is officially recognised as one of the most important in Britain. The Countryside Agency announces Heritage Status for the coast from Ryhope and Seaham down to Crimdon.
Plans to build the world's biggest urban wind farm on Teesside takes a step nearer.
EastEnders delays cup kick-off
The BBC negotiates a delayed kick-off for a European football match - so viewers can find out who shot EastEnders' Phil Mitchell without missing any of the action.
Foot-and-mouth toll hits 1,000
The 1,000th case of foot-and-mouth is confirmed. However, Professor David King, the Government's chief scientist, announces the epidemic is 'fully under control'.
Angry Tow Law residents block a road in protest at a planned foot-and-mouth burning and burial site on the village's Inkerman site.
A North slaughterman culling infected animals in Cumbria waits to see if he has contracted the disease.
The Isle of Man TT races become the latest leisure casualty of the epidemic. It is the first time the motorcycling extravaganza has been cancelled in peacetime.
Phoenix, a week-old calf which survived a cull on a Devon farm, wins a reprieve. The pure white heifer spent five days huddled next to her dead mother, slaughtered as part of a precautionary cull. She becomes a national symbol of hope.
By the end of the month the total number of cases in the UK stands at 1,476 with 770 of them in the North.
Moving tribute to Selby crash victim
A moving memorial service for Prof Steve Baldwin who died in the Selby rail crash is held at the University of Teesside. The psychology professor was one of ten people killed when the GNER train hit a car on the tracks.
Dressers Stationers, one of the oldest family businesses in the region, shuts up shop.
Darlington council talks to housing developers about a multi-million pound revamp of the town's troubled Firthmoor estate.
A draft report by Hartlepool Borough Council says the centuries-old tradition of seacoaling should be allowed to flourish.
Receivers appointed to shipbuilders Cammell Laird announce that 320 jobs will be lost.
The Wear's fishing fleet is given an Easter blessing for the first time since 1815 to express the city's solidarity with the fishermen suffering under new fishing quotas.
Steelmaker Corus has rejects union proposals to save more than 1,000 jobs, dealing the final blow to Teesside steelmen.
Family and friends gather for the funeral of Sir Harry Secombe who has died from prostate cancer at the age of 79.
The hunt for the Loch Ness monster resumes as Swedish-based team sets up hi-tech sonar equipment to scour the Scottish Loch for any large, unusual shapes.
Grand National winner Red Marauder comes home to a hero's welcome from the people of Sunderland.
Sunderland's Metric Martyr, greengrocer Steven Thoburn, is to appeal against his conviction for selling fruit in pounds and ounces.
Copyright (c) 2000-2001 Sue Kelly