David MacMillan
BBC Tees

The politicians are arriving for tonight’s local election count in Hartlepool.

A third of the council is being elected.

If Labour win three of the five seats they are defending they will have a majority.

Boxes have already arrived at the Civic Centre in Sunderland and the pace of activity has picked up.

Will they make it before midnight?

Sunderland prides itself on being quick on the draw when it comes to counting votes.

It is regularly the first to declare in the general elections.

Seems like tonight will be no different...

Across the North East one third of the seats are up for grabs at Gateshead, Hartlepool, North Tyneside, South Tyneside and Sunderland councils.

In Newcastle as a result of boundary changes, the whole council is up for election. There are 78 seats in 26 wards, with electors voting for up to three councillors.

Here we are in Sunderland as counting is set to get under way shortly:

Good evening and welcome to our live coverage from the election counts across the North East.

Voters have been at the polls to elect councillors in Sunderland, Newcastle, Hartlepool, North and South Tyneside and Gateshead.

But not all of these are being counted tonight.

We'll be bringing you the Newcastle, Sunderland, South Tyneside and Hartlepool results, with Gateshead and North Tyneside being counted tomorrow.

We're all set up in Silksworth for the Sunderland results, with live coverage through the night.

Derbyshire host Durham in the County Championship - listen to BBC local radio commentary.

That's the end of our live updates for today, thank you for joining us.

Voters have been going to the polls across the North East today as part of the local council elections. Polling stations will close at 22:00.

The results for Sunderland, Newcastle, Hartlepool and South Tyneside councils are due in the early hours of Friday - we will bring you the results here as they happen. The Gateshead and North Tyneside results will be declared tomorrow.

You can also keep up to date on BBC Newcastle, BBC Tees and on Look North.

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

It should be dry through tonight. There will be some clear breaks for a time before cloud turns rather extensive once again. Remaining mild.

Minimum Temperature: 6 to 9C (43 to 48F).

There will be large amounts of cloud in general through tomorrow but it looks like staying dry and there will be some bright or sunny periods too, especially later on. Feeling a little warmer.

Maximum Temperature: 15 to 18C (59 to 64F).

John Briers says he paid suppliers from his own funds and was reimbursed with cheques from the charity.

Andy Bell
BBC Tees

The father of a missing Hartlepool toddler is hoping his daughter who has been missing since 1981 will recognise herself in appeals in the German media.

Richard Lee, from Hartlepool, was speaking at a packed press conference in Paderborn near the spot his two-year-old daughter Katrice disappeared back in 1981.

A search of an area near the riverbank started this week with Royal Military Police saying it is of significance because of the sighting of a man and a green car nearby.

But Mr Lee (pictured below speaking to media) doesn't think his daughter will be found there. He appealed directly to anyone who recognises the eye condition daughter had.

"If Katrice is living a lie which I believe she is and she is living and being brought up with another family and speaking a different language she may actually pick up this information and say 'yes that's me'," he said.

WO Richard O'Leary, who is leading the investigation into Katrice's disappearance, said: "The aim of this search is to find evidence that could finally shed light on what happened to Katrice Lee."

Middlesbrough are to investigate disturbances in the aftermath of Saturday's Championship win over Millwall.

As dog lovers across England go to the polls for the council and mayoral elections, their canine companions will be waiting faithfully regardless of how they vote.

The hashtag #dogsatpollingstations has been trending on Twitter as owners and their four-legged friends spot a photo opportunity not to be sniffed at.

Sprocker Blueberry McScruffin was pictured outside a polling station in Whitley Bay.

Image source, BLUEBERRY MCSCRUFFIN

A Slovakian family who kept people as slaves made hundreds of thousands of pounds by keeping their wages and benefits, a court has heard.

The Rafael family, based in Newcastle and of Roma origin, spent the money on gold and jewellery, casino trips, Mediterranean holidays and an Audi Q7.

Police found a suitcase stuffed with tens of thousands of euros.

John Elvidge QC, prosecuting, said operating four slaves for five years could bring in £250,000 because the family kept the majority of their earnings.

They are being sentenced at Teesside Crown Court.

Image source, Northumbria Police

Brothers Roman Rafael, 33, and Marian Rafael, 39, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit slavery, conspiracy to traffic people for exploitation and conspiracy to commit money laundering.

Roman's wife Angelica Chec, 30, and Marian's wife Ruzena Rafaelova, 38, denied those charges but were found guilty.

Ruzena Rafaelova Snr, 58, was convicted of money laundering and people trafficking.

The bosses' cousin Juraj Rafael, 38, and a 17-year-old who cannot be identified were convicted of the trafficking and money laundering charge.

Newcastle manager Rafael Benitez talks to The Premier League Show about his club's season so far.

Meetings have taken place with four parties interested in buying Gateshead football club it says.

Last month, wwners Richard and Julie Bennett declared their intention to sell up and end their involvement at Gateshead after three years in charge.

It says "constuctive talks" have been going on and will continue next week.

Stephanie Finnon
BBC Newcastle

The BBC has learned powerful prescription drugs are being sold illegally amongst university students in the North East.

Some students have admitted taking so-called smart drugs, which claim to help you stay awake and alert for 12 hours at a time.

They're not illegal to buy - but they are illegal to sell.

Image source, Getty Images

One student at Northumbria University, who did not want to be named, said the effects on her had been harrowing.

Experts are warning of the dangers, with side effects including heart and skin problems and even psychosis.

Northumbria University says it takes a zero-tolerance approach to drugs, and offers support to students who need it.

Radio & live text coverage of four games, inc. Chelsea v Huddersfield & Tottenham v Newcastle.

The Shields Gazette

Concerned residents are demanding a new £500,000 footpath be built , externalto provide safe access along a busy South Tyneside road.

Image source, Shields Gazette