A fifth mass vaccination centre has opened its doors in the North East with the capacity to see up to 1,000 people a day.

Darlington's Arena, or Mowden Park stadium as its also known, is the second vaccination centre in the town.

Dr Stewart Findlay who is the director for the Covid Vaccination Programme for the North East and North Cumbria said: "We're planing to do 500 to 600 vaccines a day and will continue to recruit staff so we have the ability to go up to 1,000 maybe 2,000 a day as the programme continues.

"We are expecting the vaccine supply to increase."

Across the North East and Cumbria more than 900,000 people have now been given their first Covid vaccine.

Pennny Spring, Darlington's director of public heath said: "This is going to enable us to vaccinate so many more people so quickly."

One worker was killed and another injured inside a large rotating drum in County Durham.

Fire crews are continuing to tackle a fire at a recycling centre in Gateshead.

Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service were called to the Campground Waste and Recycling Centre on Springwell Road yesterday morning.

Image source, TWFRS

It's described as a deep-seated fire and crews have been on site overnight and will be through today.

People are being asked to avoid the area and keep their windows and doors closed.

Image source, TWFRS

Bringing you the latest news from across the North East from Monday 1 March to Friday 5 March 2021

A six-year-old boy is in a critical condition in hospital with head and leg injuries after being hit by a car while cycling.

A 35-year-old male cyclist was also injured when the pair were struck by a white Mercedes Benz van on Yarm Road, near the junction with Newsam Road, in Eaglescliffe at about 07:15 GMT on Sunday.

A 24-year-old man and a 22-year-old woman have been arrested on suspicion of drug-driving, Cleveland Police said.

The van had been driven along Yarm High Street and then Yarm Road in the direction of Preston Park in the moments before the collision.

Officers are appealing for anyone with CCTV or dash cam footage to contact them.

Image source, Google

Alan Shearer pays tribute to his former Newcastle manager Glenn Roeder, who has died aged 65 after a long illness.

Former Watford, West Ham, Newcastle and Norwich manager Glenn Roeder dies aged 65, says the League Managers Association.

Listen to local BBC radio commentary from Tuesday's action in the National League.

Captain Jamaal Lascelles says Newcastle "need to stop talking and put points on the board" after a draw against Wolves.

Wolves manager Nuno Espirito Santo says he is trying to "stabilise" his Wolves team this season, after they drew 1-1 away to Newcastle.

Mark Lawrenson takes on Dot Major from electro-pop band London Grammar to make predictions for this weekend's Premier League fixtures.

Loan striker Luke Armstrong's first-half strike sees off Barnet to keep Hartlepool United in the National League top three.

Brett Connon's late penalty saw Newcastle win a thriller against Harlequins in their first Premiership match for almost three weeks.

Substitute Chris Maguire rescues a point for Sunderland with a stunning stoppage-time finish as the Black Cats come from two goals down to draw at Crewe.

Middlesbrough end Cardiff City's run of successive wins as Paddy McNair's close-range finish earns them a point in a 1-1 draw at the Riverside.

Police raided the house in Middlesbrough after lines of waiting drug users were seen outside.

Relive all the action as Brentford come from behind to beat Stoke and cut Norwich's lead at the top of the Championship.

Follow coverage of Leeds v Aston Villa, after Man City, West Brom and Aston Villa win earlier in the day.

Ellie Lowther socially transitioned at the age of 45 and completed her medical transition this week.

Sunderland supporters might not be going to Wembley for the EFL Cup final next month due to Covid lockdown restrictions, but they're still buying tickets online.

Fans have come up with a plan to buy commemorative tickets for the game against Tranmere on Sunday 14 March which will be played behind closed doors.

Sunderland supporter Peter Richardson, who came up with the idea, said: "I collect all my ticket stubs and I thought wouldn't it be amazing if the club... sold tickets even though we couldn't go and then the money raised went to charity.

"I've been told the design is pretty much finished and they're ready to be printed, they are going to look like a traditional Wembley ticket."

Money raised will go to charity's including Sunderland foodbank, Mind and the club's Beacon of Light.

Image source, Getty Images