Crowds are expected at Bradley Lowery's funeral today and as a result roads have been closed.

The funeral is at 11:15 at St John's Chruch, Blackhall Colliery, County Durham, and Bradley's family have said it is open to everyone.

The A1086 Coast Road is closed in both directions between the First Street junction and the Oak Avenue junction. The B1281 is closed in both directions between the A1086 Coast Road junction and the Hesleden Road junction.

Stephanie Finnon
BBC Newcastle

A 13-year-old boy is being questioned by police after a number of suspicious items were found at a house in Gateshead.

Officers received reports on Thursday concerning the items and a bomb disposal unit was dispatched to the address in the Leam Lane estate.

Northumbria Police said the unit helped in a search of the address as a precaution, but stressed there was not believed to be any wider risk to the public.

Not details have been released about any items discovered.

Ornithologists will record information about the birds' population and movements.

Georgina Burnett
BBC Weather

It will be a mainly dry day with bright or sunny spells, although rather breezy with a slim chance of isolated light showers.

However, by the afternoon it will be warm, especially the further north you are.

Cloud is likely to increase later in the day with patchy light rain arriving towards evening, mainly affecting higher arres.

Temperatures should reach a comfortable 19C (66F).

Sunderland Echo
Newspaper

Jermain Defoe has left Bournemouth's pre-season training camp in Spain to travel back to England to attend the funeral of Bradley Lowery later., external

Image source, Sunderland Echo

BBC Tees
www.bbc.co.uk/BBCTees

Lorries are still causing damage to the historic Market Cross in the centre of Barnard Castle two years after residents called for a ban on heavy goods vehicles.

The route is often used by lorries travelling between the North East and the A66 to and from Cumbria.

Image source, Google

Durham County Council said it plans to work with hauliers to find alternative routes.

Campaigner Phil Hunt said the problems was increasing and urgent action was required to prevent further damage.

Good morning and welcome to BBC Local Live. We'll be with you throughout the day to bring you the latest news, weather, sport and travel updates.

Have you got any photos you'd like to share with us? In that case you can tweet them to @BBCNewsNE, external, email them, or contact us via our Facebook page, external.