January
Sunderland says goodbye to a landmark; a ban on cod fishing is introduced; Roxy music reforms and Mandelson quits - again.
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Builder's blunder leaves village in the dark
People living in Iveston near Consett demand compensation after an 11,000-volt electricity surge cuts off the power supply to the entire village.
A lucky Bishop Auckland betting shop punter wins £35,900 with a single £12 bet.
The European Commission passes measures to ban all cod fishing in parts of the North Sea for three months from mid February - the spawning season - to protect stocks. Experts believe there will be a total collapse of cod stocks without such drastic measures.
Hartlepool MP Peter Mandelson dramatically quits the Cabinet for a second time.
Knopfler: Oldest swinger in town!
Dire Straits star Mark Knopfler has a dinosaur named after him.
C&A closes all its UK outlets.
High wire act to fix new bridge
Repairs are carried out on the Millennium Bridge over the Tyne just 66 days after it is put in place.
Roxy Music, fronted by Washington-born Bryan Ferry, reforms after 18 years.
Bulldozers move in to the Vaux brewery site in the centre of Sunderland.
Durham County Council becomes the first highway authority in the UK to use solar-powered cat's eyes.
Copyright (c) 2000-2001 Sue Kelly