Luke Walton
BBC Look North

A new website has been launched, external which aims to help tackle a recruitment crisis in North East schools.

Some head-teachers complain of long delays in appointing staff, particularly in subjects such as maths and science.

For example a Berwick school took 15 months to find a maths teacher.   

The jobs website has been launched by Schools North East which represents more than 1,000 primary and secondary schools.

A memorial service was held this morning for Jaap Kroese, the man who rescued the Swan Hunter shipyard from receivership in the 1990s.

Mr Kroese (pictured, second right) died just after Christmas in his native Holland.

He stepped in when Swan Hunter closed in 1993, taking on ship repair and conversion projects.

The service was held at Wallsend's Memorial Hall at 11:00.

Billy Jones has told BBC Newcastle it's the team that handles the pressure at the bottom of the Premier League the best that will ultimately decide the relegation issue.

The Sunderland right-back says there is no way to avoid the pressures of top flight football in this day and age.

Image source, Getty Images

BBC Newcastle
http://www.bbc.co.uk/BBCNewcastle

Wolverhampton Wanderers have confirmed they've agreed a deal with Newcastle for Mike Williamson.

The defender is expected at the Championship club to agree terms and to complete the move later today.

Luke Walton
BBC Look North

A shortage of teachers has led to a recruitment crisis in the region's classrooms. 

That's the message from Schools North East, which represents senior teaching staff across the region.

Today the organisation launches a campaign to tackle the issue. It will include a website advertising teacher vacancies and plans for a marketing push to encourage would-be applicants to move to the region.

I've been finding out how recruitment problems have affected one school in Northumberland. See my report on BBC Look North at 13:30 on BBC One.

Owain Wyn Evans
Weather presenter, BBC Look North

A few bright spells around at first this afternoon, but it will steadily become cloudier from the west, with some rain arriving by dusk. Winds will also increase as the afternoon progresses.

Maximum temperature: 8C (46F). Check the forecast near you.

Work's begun on the River Wear to build the foundations of Sunderland's new bridge.

Metal piles will be driven into place in the river bed.

The new bridge will cross the River Wear between Wessington Way in Castletown and European Way in Pallion.

It's the first new bridge over the Wear in the city for more than 40 years.

Image source, Sunderland City Council

Here are the latest headlines so far this morning:

• A 24-year-old has been charged with the murder of man who died in hospital after being found with stab wounds
• A 62-year-old man has been charged over damage caused to more than 50 cars on Teesside
• A boy who asked Father Christmas for a Subbuteo set shortly before he died in 1967 prompted the firm to create a special edition set

John Bennett
BBC World Service

Sam Allardyce on Andre Ayew: "I won’t be signing him. We didn’t put in a bid. I never really thought Swansea would sell."  

David MacMillan
BBC Tees

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn arrives at Middlesbrough College for tour of new STEM centre.   

Confirmation of a another transfer which happened last night - Sunderland have signed Ivory Coast defender Lamine Kone from French side Lorient for an undisclosed fee.

The France-born 26-year-old has signed a four-and-a-half-year contract with the Premier League strugglers.

"He is big and strong, attributes you need to play in central defence in the Premier League," Sunderland manager Sam Allardyce told the club's website., external

The Black Cats have also signed keeper Steve Harper, striker Dame N'Doyeand defender Jan Kirchhoff in January.

A cyclist is in a critical condition after being knocked off his bike in Newcastle last night.

The cyclist and a Ford Mondeo collided at about 21:30 on the Great North Road and the rider was taken to the Royal Victoria Infirmary with serious injuries.

A section of the road near to the Blue House Roundabout was closed until the early hours this morning.

England winger Andros Townsend signed for Newcastle last night on a five-year deal for about £12m.

"Newcastle is a fantastic club with great fans, a great stadium and great tradition," he told the club's website.

"As soon as I heard Newcastle were interested in me, there was only one place I wanted to go so I can't wait to get started."

Image source, Getty Images

Newcastle United head coach Steve McClaren said: "Bringing Andros to the club is a great signing.

"Andros is a winger with an old-fashioned style. He can play on the right or the left, is two-footed, quick, very direct and loves taking on defenders and crossing the ball."

BBC Sport

Here are snippets from today's Gossip Column:

Sunderland's former Liverpool defender Sebastian Coates, 25, could make a loan move to Sporting Lisbon before next Monday's transfer deadline - seven months after the Uruguay player joined the Black Cats permanently.(Sunderland Echo), external

Ross McCormack has no desire to play for Fulham again as the wantaway striker looks to secure a £12m move to Middlesbrough. (Daily Mail, external)

Newcastle's match with Manchester City has been postponed after the Blues advanced to the final of the League Cup.

City clawed back a first-leg deficit to beat Everton and set up a Capital One Cup final date with Liverpool after a thrilling game at the Etihad.

The match against the Magpies was due to take place on 28 February, however the cup final will take place on that day. Who is your money on?

A boy who asked Father Christmas for a Subbuteo set shortly before he died in 1967 prompted the firm to create a special edition set which has been given to his family.

Nine-year-old Paul French had asked for a set featuring England and Argentina for Christmas in 1966 but he died two months later from an "unexpected illness".

His brother Ray found Paul's letter to Father Christmas last year and the discovery made global headlines.

Jose Guerrero, operations manager of Subbuteo, decided to surprise Mr French with a special set dedicated to his brother.

A 24-year-old has been charged with the murder of man who died in hospital after being found with stab wounds.

Reece Allen, also 24, was discovered with multiple injuries outside an address in West Avenue, North Shields, in the early hours of Monday.

Police say Joe Welsh, of no fixed address, will appear in court later charged with his murder.

A 20-year-old woman who was also arrested has been released with no further action.

BBC Tees
www.bbc.co.uk/BBCTees

Hartlepool is to receive more than £1m from the Heritage Lottery Fund.

The money will be used to transform the Church Street area of the town to bring empty buildings back into use and pay for new community projects.

After a head teacher in Darlington, County Durham, asked parents to stop wearing pyjamas on the school run, we've been looking at where people wear their night clothes.

Watch the video here.