North Tyneside Council said it was not made aware of government advice urging people not to travel into and out of the borough unless necessary after it was hit by the Indian coronavirus variant.

The area is one of several affected across the country and the guidance was published online without an announcement on Friday.

In a statement released this morning, Wendy Burke, director of public health for North Tyneside, said: “Last Wednesday it was announced in Parliament that North Tyneside, along with five other areas in England, would be subject to enhanced testing and vaccinations.

“When the announcement was made there was no indication it would come with any additional restrictions for North Tyneside or the other areas.

“We understand that, later, government guidance around travel in and out of North Tyneside was posted on the government website. This has not been accompanied by any communication to the local authority, local residents or businesses.

“We have already queried this with the Department of Health and Social Care to seek clarification. We will continue to work with government on our enhanced testing and vaccination plan which is now in place.”

It comes after more than 600 people were tested on the first day of new coronavirus surge-testing centres opening on North Tyneside at the weekend.

Image source, North Tyneside Council

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A secondary school in Middlesbrough is closing for the rest of the week following a number of positive Covid cases.

Students at The King's Academy in Coulby Newham will continue their learning online after Middlesbrough Council decided to close the school because positive results have been found in all year groups.

A mobile testing unit will soon be set up in the grounds with all students and staff encouraged to have a PCR test.

Principal David Dawes said: "We've acted quickly in response to a small number of cases. We will always put the safety of the wider community first."

Image source, Getty Images

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BBC Newcastle
BBC Radio Newcastle

Tributes have been pouring into BBC Newcastle following the death of presenter Lisa Shaw at the age of 44.

Lisa, who worked at radio stations across the North East for almost 25 years, died in hospital on Friday following a short illness.

Lisa's family said she was "the best wife and mammy, sister, daughter, aunty, friend and colleague that anyone could hope for" and there is a "Lisa-shaped hole in their lives that will never be filled".

BBC Radio Tees presenter Gary Philipson presented the Century breakfast show with Lisa for many years.

He said: "It's just heart breaking and my thoughts are for her family. The most underrated, underestimated presenter in British radio for me, I knew straight away what a talent she is. I owe so much to her."

Gary and Lisa worked together for about 15 years and were good friends.

"There's a little saying and I'll carry this for the rest of my days, it's a Dr Seuss saying 'don't cry because you've lost, smile because it happened',".

Giles Squire, who met Lisa at the start of her career, said she stood out and he was "struck by how professional she was".

He gave Lisa her first job at Metro Radio and recalled how "she had a warmth, a rapport with people, she touched people".

"There was no act with Lisa, what you saw was what you got and what you got was something very special."

Ivan Hollingworth, who has raised thousands of pounds for the Children's Heart Unit at the Freeman - which saved the life of his son Seb, said: "Lisa was amazing, she made you feel at ease, like you were the most important person in the room and she became a friend."

Three women walkers who sparked an all-night search when they went missing on a hike have been found safe and well.

The alarm was raised when the trio - who are all in their mid-50s - failed to return on Sunday evening after they had set off on a 19-mile walk from to Middleton-in-Teesdale in the morning.

Police officers and volunteers from Teesdale and Weardale Search and Mountain Rescue Team were involved in the search.

The women had managed to take shelter in a barn overnight after one of them injured her ankle.

They were well prepared for their walk with maps, compasses, walking clothing and boots.

Image source, Teesdale and Weardale MRT

BBC Sport's chief football writer Phil McNulty assess each Premier League club's season - and looks back at his predictions.

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