Plans have been drawn up to recruit 40 new firefighters for Tyne and Wear.

If approved, the new members of staff would be based in the West Denton area of Newcastle manning a new fire engine, along with crews for aerial ladder platforms based in Sunderland and Gosforth.

Assistant chief fire officer Peter Heath said: "We’ve managed to save a bit, cut a bit and we’ve amassed a decent amount of money that we now feel is safe, sound and sustainable to reinvest.

“By adding one fire engine, we improve the speed in response to calls for fires, but we will also improve the availability of the height appliances and the availability of the command unit, which is absolutely integral to supporting firefighter safety."

A vote on the recruitment proposals will be take at a meeting of the Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Authority on Monday 15 March.

Image source, TWFRS

Although unable to go to the EFL Trophy Final, fans bought commemorative tickets in aid of charity.

Newcastle United youngster Kelland Watts says he hopes to be an ever-present at Plymouth Argyle in League One this season.

The ageing trains are left running overnight amid fears they will not restart in the morning.

People who work in the TS19 postcode area of Stockton are being urged to come forward for testing.

It's after a case of the South African variant of coronavirus was found in the area, which is "more infectious" than other variants and cases need to be identified "as quickly as possible".

Image source, Reuters

Surge testing has been open to people living in the area and anyone over 16 is urged to get tested even if they do not have symptoms.

Director of public health for Stockton Council Sarah Bowman-Abouna said more than 3,000 people have already been tested.

She said: "Initially we started with those who are living in the area but if you also work in the TS19 area we would also encourage you to come forward."

Historic England criticises a suggestion the listed Marsden kilns could be knocked down to make way for a road.

Mark Lawrenson takes on Bend it like Beckham actor Frank Harper to make predictions for this weekend's Premier League fixtures.

Listen to BBC radio commentary from Gloucester v Leicester Tigers in the Premiership after earlier wins for Northampton Saints, Exeter Chiefs and Bath.

Middlesbrough are charged with a breach of rule E20 around conduct after Saturday's 2-1 defeat by Swansea City.

Miriam Raine stole bank cards from residents and used the money for online gambling.

Championship clubs Middlesbrough and Bournemouth condemn racist online abuse received by Yannick Bolasie and Arnaut Danjuma.

The historic link over the River Tweed has linked the two countries for more than 200 years.

Reaction as Aston Villa draw at Newcastle in the Premier League.

Ida Brown, 79, was injured while stopping two men from stealing her mobility scooter.

An overturned lorry has led to the A69 being closed in both directions.

The HGV, which was carrying wood, turned over on the westbound carriageway between Hexham and Corbridge earlier.

The road is closed in both directions from the A6079 (Bridge End Roundabout, Hexham) to A68 (Stagshaw Roundabout, Corbridge)

Northumbria Police says the load needs to be emptied before the recovery of the lorry can start, which will involve a crane.

The carriageway is expected to be closed until this afternoon.

The government pledges £95m for ports on the Tees and Humber to support offshore wind farms.

Owners say they will have to break lockdown rules after being told to move their caravans from a site in Northumberland.

Police are investigating if a "father and daughter" are being "coerced" into being on the streets.

Fitting a motorbike engine to the scooter was described as displaying "ingenuity and stupidity".

The Tomahawk Steakhouse chain asked furloughed staff to loan it 10% of their wages to cover costs.