Unlike Iowa's activists, Crook County's blue-collar residents resist single-issue appeals.

CNN: The Place That Picks Winners

That makes Crook County (pop. 13, 500) the nation's last bellwether county. (Bellwether, literally, means the lead sheep in a flock.) The nation lost its other remaining perfect prognosticator in 1984, when Walter Mondale edged Reagan by 303 votes in Iowa's Palo Alto County.

CNN: The Place That Picks Winners

Mr Atherton disliked Alison Turnbull and blamed her for his arrest in 2008 following a family row, the hearing in Crook, County Durham, was told.

BBC: England

The car was also spotted in Darlington, where police believe Seddon picked up the gun, which had been stolen from Crook in County Durham on 31 December.

BBC: Stephen Seddon's 'indescribable' murder of parents

Ms Thompson-Young told the inquest in Crook, County Durham, about a similar case involving a different force, where the gun owner won an appeal against having his licence revoked.

BBC: Horden shootings: Police could have revoked gun licence

Ms Trotter, who attended the funeral, told the inquest in Crook, County Durham, she had asked one of the soldiers present at the wake if Iraqis were to blame.

BBC: Huddersfield soldier's Iraq gun death 'drunken incident'

Forensic pathologist Nicholas Hunt told the inquest in Crook, County Durham, the gunshot passed from above the right temple, back through the brain and out of the left side towards the back of the head.

BBC: Huddersfield soldier Wilson 'over drink-drive limit'

The inquest at Crook Coroner's Court, County Durham was told how military police investigators botched elements of the inquiry, meaning a full picture of what happened that night has been obscured.

BBC: Huddersfield soldier's inquest records open verdict