Latest News...

(Source: BBC News)

Man admits sending racist tweets A Sunderland fan admits two offences after racist comments directed at Newcastle United were made on Twitter.

'Fantastic' police horse retires A long-serving Northumbria Police horse retires after 16 years of work.

Women breaking 700-year tradition Four sisters are among those breaking down the barriers of a male preserve that has survived for 700 years.

'Birth defect risk' for diabetics A Newcastle University study suggests the risk of birth defects increases if the pregnant mother has diabetes.

Car hits three in icy conditions Three men are hurt when they are dragged more than 130ft by a car which skidded out of control in icy conditions in County Durham.

Rare find of 'jelly bean' mould One of Britain's most rare "slime moulds" has been found at a County Durham nature reserve.

Event marks miners' 1891 eviction Photos taken more than 120 years ago showing striking miners being thrown out of their homes

Cross border bridge upgrade plea A campaign is launched to restore one of the world's oldest suspension bridges

Shouting out 'helps pupils learn' A study of primary school pupils found children who "blurt out" responses perform better in maths and English

McClean set for Republic call-up Sunderland's James McClean is expected to be included in the Republic of Ireland squad for the friendly against the Czech Republic.

Striker Best faces six weeks out Newcastle striker Leon Best will have a scan on Tuesday to find out the extent of the knee injury he suffered in Sunday's 2-1 win over Aston Villa.

Newcastle 2-1 Aston Villa Papiss Demba Cisse marks his Newcastle debut with a stunning strike that helps his side beat Villa to move back up to fifth in the table.

Gopperth extends Falcons contract Newcastle Falcons fly-half Jimmy Gopperth signs a three-year extension to his contract.

Al-Ain keen on Gyan, says O'Neill Sunderland manager Martin O'Neill suggests Al-Ain are keen to complete a permanent deal for striker Asamoah Gyan as part of the original loan deal.

Stoke 0-1 Sunderland Sunderland's revival under Martin O'Neill continues as James McClean's goal makes it five wins in six league games at the expense of 10-man Stoke.

BBC Introducing: Craig Wosahlo Craig Wosahlo from Northumberland has been singing and playing music since he can remember.

BBC Introducing: The Langtails The Langtails have only been together one year but they have already made a big impression in the north-east of England music scene.

Olympic Dreams: the proud parents Behind many Olympic hopefuls you will find a parent who has been helping them

Olympic Dreams: Holmes inspires Stacey Smith to run Olympic hopeful Stacey Smith says a letter from Dame Kelly Holmes convinced her to be an athlete

CiN gets kids off drink and drugs As projects around the North East benefit from £1m from Children in Need, a youth initiative in Sunderland says it would struggle without the money.

Search on for new comedy talent The search is on for new comedy talent through the Jesting About scheme.

Latest Sports News...

(Source: BBC News)

McClean set for Republic call-up Sunderland's James McClean is expected to be included in the Republic of Ireland squad for the friendly against the Czech Republic.

Striker Best faces six weeks out Newcastle striker Leon Best will have a scan on Tuesday to find out the extent of the knee injury he suffered in Sunday's 2-1 win over Aston Villa.

Newcastle 2-1 Aston Villa Papiss Demba Cisse marks his Newcastle debut with a stunning strike that helps his side beat Villa to move back up to fifth in the table.

Gopperth extends Falcons contract Newcastle Falcons fly-half Jimmy Gopperth signs a three-year extension to his contract.

Al-Ain keen on Gyan, says O'Neill Sunderland manager Martin O'Neill suggests Al-Ain are keen to complete a permanent deal for striker Asamoah Gyan as part of the original loan deal.

Stoke 0-1 Sunderland Sunderland's revival under Martin O'Neill continues as James McClean's goal makes it five wins in six league games at the expense of 10-man Stoke.

Girl shot 'while playing in shop' A five-year-old girl was "happily playing" in a shop when she was hit by gang gunfire and left permanently paralysed, a jury hears.

Man admits sending racist tweets A Sunderland fan admits two offences after racist comments directed at Newcastle United were made on Twitter.

Accidents due to icy conditions Motorists are being warned to drive with extreme care as the icy conditions in England led to a series of accidents.

Redknapp 'one half of Odd Couple' Harry Redknapp and former Portsmouth FC chairman Milan Mandaric were like "The Odd Couple", a court hears.

Witch killing man 'brain damaged' A man accused of killing a 15-year-old boy he thought was a witch had brain damage, a court hears.

Man fell from tower after partner A man who saw his girlfriend fall to her death from a tower block in Leeds told police officers there was no point living and leapt after her, an inquest is told.

First Harry Ramsden chippie saved The original Harry Ramsden's fish and chip shop at Guiseley near Leeds is saved from closure after being taken over by a competitor.

Racist emails sent to archbishop The police are called in after racist abuse was sent to the Archbishop of York following comments he made about same-sex marriage.

Bath gasometer 'should be saved' The mayor of Bath, famed for its Roman and Georgian architecture, says the last of the city's gasometers should be saved from demolition.

Delays on train firm's first day Commuters face delays caused by track problems and a broken down train on the first full day of a new train operator running services.