Welcome, once again, to BBC Local Live.

We're joining you a little earlier this morning to bring you news of the disruption being caused by the blanket of snow which has fallen over much of the North East.

We'll be with you throughout the day to bring you the latest news, sport and travel updates - and of course we'll have plenty on the weather.

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.

One of the first casualties of the snow in North Yorkshire this morning has already been announced:

We're being warned to expect major disruption caused by snow across Yorkshire this morning.

The Met Office has issued amber "be prepared" warnings for large parts of eastern England, with up to eight inches possible in parts of the Yorkshire Dales.

Some rail companies have drawn up revised timetables and gritters have been out through the night in an attempt to keep major roads clear.

North Yorkshire Police say areas around Harrogate and Craven are particularly bad, with snow and ice and they're warning that some areas are "treacherous".

The fire service says its Ripon crew has just released a man from his overturned car on Dishforth Road in Sharow, leaving him in the care of paramedics.

And the A19 in North Yorkshire remains closed southbound between the A67 at Crathorne and the A684 at Ellerbeck due to an accident involving a lorry.

A jury found PC Paul McVeigh not guilty but he faces a disciplinary hearing over his use of force.

That's the end of our updates for the first day of the new week.

You can keep up-to-date with the latest news, on BBC Newcastle and BBC Tees and on Look North.

If there are any news and travel updates overnight they will be published here.

Remember, the Met Office have issued a severe weather warning for tomorrow morning so keep an eye on the weather and any travel disruptions it might cause.

Have a lovely evening. We'll see you tomorrow morning.

There is currently an amber weather warning for snow tomorrow morning between 03:00 and 11:00 so please take care.

It will be cold tonight with further snow showers. A spell of heavy and persistent snow is expected to push in from the east during the early hours.

Minimum Temperature: -4 to -1C (25 to 30F).

Tomorrow will be a cold and breezy day with snow showers or longer spells of snow continuing, these are likely to be frequent, heavy and prolonged throughout the day.

Maximum Temperature: -1 to 2C (30 to 36F).

Sunderland Echo
Newspaper

Gemma Lowery has praised former Sunderland striker Jermain Defoe, external for the incredible impact he had on her inspirational son Bradley.

Julie Smith
BBC Look North

A plaque to recognise Newcastle's links with the 19th century's most prominent African American abolitionist has been unveiled this morning.

Frederick Douglass was born into slavery in Maryland in 1818 and after he escaped he became one of the most prominent campaigners against slavery.

He stayed with the Richardson family at their house in Newcastle in 1846. They helped raise money, with people in the city, to buy his freedom.

The plaque was unveiled at the former house in Summerhill Grove.

You can listen to more about Douglass' life here.

The Chronicle

Over £1k raised in just hours for Scott Westgarth's family, external following his death after winning bout.

The Met Office has issued a severe weather warning for parts of the North East or tomorrow morning.

Hartlepool's fixture with Leyton Orient will be rearranged.

The home game at Victoria Park clashed with the away team's replay against Gateshead.

Three other passengers, two 25-year-old men and a 24-year-old man, were also injured.

A barbering and hairdressing teacher at East Durham College was 'visibly shocked' when named Teacher of the Year at the TES Futher Education Awards.

Alison Scattergood was given the accolade over teachers from across the UK.

Student numbers have doubled since Alison took the lead of barbering provision at the college and pass rates on Level 2 and 3 courses are at 100%.

An 'overjoyed' Suzanne Duncan, East Durham College's principal, congratulated Alison.

Judges at the TES FE Awards said people like Alison are "the future of teaching."

Here's Alison pictured receiving the award at the Grosvenor Hotel in London.

Hartlepool Mail
Newspaper

A 34-year-old man appeared in court after he grabbed chocolate in a Hartlepool shop and fled., external

Image source, Hartlepool Mail

One of Newcastle's most popular green spaces has been shortlisted for Britain's first 'walking Neighborhood' award.

The competition has been launched by British outdoor charity The Ramblers.

The aim is to recognise 'walking-friendly' urban areas.

In 2016, BBC Newcastle collaborated with one of the world's top wildlife sound recordists and local photographers to document one year in the life of the Town Moor.

The number of people ice skating at the Billingham Forum has increased during the Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang.

Centre Manager Roy Broadbant says the facilities at the Forum could be a starting point for aspiring athletes.

BBC Tees
www.bbc.co.uk/BBCTees

The number of drivers in our area caught using a mobile phone behind the wheel has fallen over the last 12 months.

Figures obtained by the BBC show the Durham and Cleveland police forces handed out almost 700 notices in 2016, but last year that fell by a third to just over 450.

Helen Adams, from Hartlepool, lost her mother when she was hit by a driver using a phone in November 2006 and says many drivers are still ignorant of the dangers.

"The only way this can be tackled is a mandatory disqualification," she said. "It should be treated exactly the same as excess alcohol. If you're seen using a phone you should lose your licence."

You can see more on this story on Inside Out tonight at 19:30 on BBC One and then for 30 days on the iPlayer.

Image source, Getty Images

Colin Briggs
Look North

The North East's fishermen are being urged to have a free health check, which is being organised by the Fishermen's Mission in North Shields.

There are still more than 100 boats fishing out of the town and other parts of the North East coast, but many of the crews find it hard to get to the doctors.

The check-ups will be held on the fish quay from 10:00 to 19:00 this Friday and no appointment is necessary.

The Northern Echo
Newspaper

A teenage girl was hit by a bus in Middlesbrough this morning., external

Image source, Google