July
Darlington becomes the luckiest town in the UK when two punters become Lottery millionaires; The 117th Durham Miners' Gala is held and Marsden Grotto is sold to a Sunderland restaurateur.
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Barry George begins a life sentence for the murder of BBC TV presenter Jill Dando.
Torrential rain brings chaos to parts of Britain with flash floods and power failures. Meanwhile, the North-East continues to remain dry, sunny and humid with temperatures reaching a high of 26 ºC.
Farmers' worst fears are confirmed as foot-and-mouth disease draws closer to the Vale of York - Britain's prime pig farming area.
Experts predict that millions of animals will have to be vaccinated unless Britain can eradicate the disease within weeks.
The Government comes under pressure to scale down plans to re-open footpaths.
Comedian Rowan Atkinson walks away unhurt from a high-speed motor racing smash at Croft Race Circuit near Darlington.
Lady luck smiles on Darlington!
Darlington is hailed the luckiest place in Britain after two punters become Lottery millionaires in the space of a week!
Saltburn's newly-refurbished pier is officially re-opened by former Culture Minister Chris Smith.
Big Meeting defies predictions
The 117th Durham Miners' Gala goes ahead - defying predictions that the event would stop when the last deep mine in County Durham closed in 1993.
Bright future for famous Grotto
The famous Marsden Grotto pub is sold to a Sunderland restaurateur and looks forward to an exciting revival.
End of an era for Henry School
One hundred staff and pupils from across the generations take part in a ceremony to mark the end of an era at Henry Smith School in Hartlepool.
Copyright (c) 2000-2001 Sue Kelly