Summary

  • Updates on Thursday 28 January

  1. Site launched to tackle 'teacher recruitment crisis'published at 13:52 Greenwich Mean Time 28 January 2016

    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.

  2. Memorial service held this morning for Jaap Kroesepublished at 13:38 Greenwich Mean Time 28 January 2016

    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.

    Jaap Kroese

    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.

  3. Best at 'handling pressure' will survive, says Sunderland's Jonespublished at 13:20 Greenwich Mean Time 28 January 2016

    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.

    Billy JonesImage source, Getty Images
  4. Wolves agree deal for Newcastle's Williamsonpublished at 13:05 Greenwich Mean Time 28 January 2016

    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.

  5. On the lunchtime BBC Look Northpublished at 12:49 Greenwich Mean Time 28 January 2016

    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.

    Teacher

    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.

  6. Weather: Bright spells becoming cloudierpublished at 12:35 Greenwich Mean Time 28 January 2016

    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.

    Weather forecast

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

  7. Work begins on newest bridge for 40 yearspublished at 12:15 Greenwich Mean Time 28 January 2016

    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.

    Artist impression of Sunderland's new bridgeImage source, Sunderland City Council
  8. Latest headlines: Murder charge after stab victim dies, and man charged after 56 cars damagedpublished at 11:58 Greenwich Mean Time 28 January 2016

    Here are the latest headlines so far this morning:

  9. Jeremy Corbyn tours Middlesbrough Collegepublished at 11:45 Greenwich Mean Time 28 January 2016

    This Twitter post cannot be displayed in your browser. Please enable Javascript or try a different browser.View original content on Twitter
    The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
    Skip twitter post

    Allow Twitter content?

    This article contains content provided by Twitter. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read Twitter’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.

    The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
    End of twitter post
  10. Sam Allardyce says SAFC won't sign Andre Ayewpublished at 11:23 Greenwich Mean Time 28 January 2016

    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."  

  11. Labour leader in Middlesbrough to see college sitepublished at 11:07

    David MacMillan
    BBC Tees

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

    Jeremy Corbyn
  12. Lamine Kone: Sunderland sign Ivory Coast defenderpublished at 10:59 Greenwich Mean Time 28 January 2016

    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.

    Lamine Kone
  13. Cyclist 'critical' after crash in Newcastlepublished at 10:38 Greenwich Mean Time 28 January 2016

    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.

  14. 'One place I wanted to go' says Newcastle's latest signingpublished at 10:25 Greenwich Mean Time 28 January 2016

    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."

    Andros TownsendImage 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."

  15. Gossip: Coates could make a loan move to Sporting Lisbonpublished at 10:15

    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)

  16. Newcastle's Man City game to be moved after Blues advance in League Cuppublished at 10:03

    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?

  17. Subbuteo surprise for 50-year-old Santa letter boy's familypublished at 09:53

    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".

    Subbuteo box

    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.

  18. Man charged with murder of North Shields stab victim Reece Allenpublished at 09:39

    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.

    Reece Allen

    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.

  19. Hartlepool receives £1m from the Heritage Lottery Fundpublished at 09:25

    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.