Kevin Nicholson BEM to stand for Darlington Council

I am very pleased to read in the Northern Echo that Kevin Nicholson is standing for Darlington Council as an independent candidate in May. With the help of a great team of staff, Kevin has turned around the fortunes of the Firthmoor & District Community Association, which he chairs.

Having Kevin on the Council wouldn't only help Eastbourne and Firthmoor residents. He would bring so much dynamism and ability to the workings of the Town Hall, and I look forward to working with him if he is elected. You can find out more about Kevin at his home page and his Facebook page.

Brafferton gypsy site refused by planners

The refusal of this new travellers site in Darlington is 100% right. Far too often, these sites have been allowed to flout the laws that apply to everyone else. Under the last Labour government there were a disgraceful 1,279 illegal travellers sites officially tolerated. If elected as MP for Darlington, I would always take a tough approach to inappropriate traveller sites and work with local residents to prevent them.

First-time buyers at highest level since 2007, says Halifax

This is straightforward good news: