Double death case.

A teenager accused of causing the deaths of two musician friends in a hit-and-run crash appeared at Newcastle Crown Court yesterday.

The 17-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was further remanded on conditional bail until September 12, charged with causing the deaths by dangerous driving of Keith Morris, 52, and Joe Scurfield, 56, in June.

Mr Morris, of Bentinck Road and Mr Scurfield, of Wellesley Terrace, both Elswick, were hit by a BMW car in Westgate Road, Newcastle.

Asbestos death

ASBESTOS exposure at work killed an electrician, an inquest was told yesterday.

John Graham, 64, of Skiddaw Road, Carlisle, died in the Freeman Hospital, Newcastle, on April 2 ( he had worked in factories and boiler rooms in Cumbria for more than 40 years.

Newcastle pathologist Peter Cooper told yesterday's hearing in Newcastle he had developed a mesothelioma on his lung consistent with asbestos exposure.

Verdict: death by industrial disease.

Gold standard

TRIPLE jump world record holder Jonathan Edwards was yesterday appointed a key figure in the organisation which will stage the 2012 Olympics in London.

The 2000 Olympics gold medallist from Gateshead is the athletes' member to serve on the London Organising Committee for the Olympic Games.

Homes backed

OUTLINE plans for a new housing development on Common Road, Wooler, have been approved by councillors in Berwick.

They were told the development was likely to be for up to 25 homes, some of which would be earmarked for affordable housing.

M-way hearing

A PUBLIC inquiry is to be held on September 27 into a proposed pounds 174m extension of the M6 motorway from Carlisle to Guards Mill.

The hearing is at the Solway Business Centre, Parkhouse Road, Kingston, Carlisle.

Pier probe

DIVERS are checking the condition of the pier at the mouth of the Tweed at Berwick. It is more than 100 years old.

Anti-terror line

STOCKTON Borough Council is putting up posters to advertise Cleveland Police Force's anti-terrorism hotline [phone].