1. Angry mum spits in face of Christmas elfpublished at 13:03 Greenwich Mean Time 12 December 2018

    The woman lost her temper when she was told she could not take her child into a Christmas grotto.

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  2. Berwick-upon-Tweed MP Anne-Marie Trevelyan will not reveal votepublished at 12:47 Greenwich Mean Time 12 December 2018

    Berwick-upon-Tweed Conservative MP Anne-Marie Trevelyan says she will not reveal how she will vote in this evening's vote of confidence in Prime Minister Theresa May's leadership.

    She said in a statement: "I will take some time today to think about how to vote.

    "I will respect the secret ballot process and I will therefore not be discussing which way I will vote once I have reached my decision."

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  3. Highlights: Sunderland 0-1 Walsallpublished at 11:45 Greenwich Mean Time 12 December 2018

    Walsall secure a place in the FA Cup third round after a superb goal from Liam Kinsella edges a 1-0 win over League One rivals Sunderland in their FA Cup second-round replay.

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  4. MP: It is 'entirely right' to support Theresa Maypublished at 11:20 Greenwich Mean Time 12 December 2018

    Hexham Conservative MP Guy Opperman has voiced his support for Prime Minister Theresa May ahead of a vote on her leadership this evening.

    He told BBC Newcastle: "It is utterly the wrong thing to do to be engaging in a leadership election at a crucial time in politics.

    "She is in the EU arena battling her way for Britain, working her backside off, helping us to get the best possible deal for the UK as we exit the EU.

    "I believe it is entirely right to support her, get behind her and be in a position where we move on with this process."

    Guy Opperman
  5. Hartlepool housing development could be expandingpublished at 10:56 Greenwich Mean Time 12 December 2018

    Local Democracy Reporting Service
    Nic Marko

    A housing development at a former school in Hartlepool could be expanding.

    It comes after plans have been submitted to Hartlepool Borough Council, who previously granted permission for 84 "executive" homes at the former Henry Smith school site in King Oswy Drive.

    King Oswy Drive in HartlepoolImage source, Google Maps

    Development Work is underway with many plots finished but applicant Wynyard Homes wants to make changes to the third phase of work to replace smaller units with more detached properties.

    A planning statement stated that, as the site has progressed, the demand for detached/ bigger properties increased.

    The council planning department will make a decision on if the amendments to the current plans are acceptable in the coming months.

  6. Council agrees Bradley children's home land giftpublished at 09:59 Greenwich Mean Time 12 December 2018

    Local Democracy Reporting Service

    A gift of land to the family of Bradley Lowery for a holiday home for other sick children has been approved by councillors.

    Six-year-old Bradley was diagnosed with neuroblastoma when he was 18-months-old and died in July 2017.

    Bradley and his mumImage source, Owen Humphry

    One of his last family holidays was in Scarborough and his charity wants its respite project to be based there.

    Bradley made global headlines before he died and became "best friends" with then Sunderland striker Jermain Defoe.

  7. Ex-steelworks station 'least used' in UKpublished at 09:39 Greenwich Mean Time 12 December 2018

    Only 40 passengers used it last year with numbers dwindling since the closure of the Redcar plant.

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  8. Robber armed with machete sought in Darlingtonpublished at 09:13 Greenwich Mean Time 12 December 2018

    BBC Tees

    Detectives are trying to find a man who threatened a woman with a machete during an armed robbery in Darlington.

    The man, wearing a black balaclava, latex gloves and a green jacket, approached the woman working in P&J's Convenience Store at 14:30 on Monday.

    He took a small amount of cash and ran off along Cumberland Street, into North Park.

    Police say the woman, who was working on her own, was unharmed but has been left extremely shaken.

  9. Father Christmas handed parking ticketpublished at 08:54 Greenwich Mean Time 12 December 2018

    Santa said he was "stunned" to receive the fine, but promises it will not ruin Christmas.

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  10. Weather: Cloudy and chillypublished at 08:34 Greenwich Mean Time 12 December 2018

    BBC Weather

    This morning will be rather cloudy, possibly with the odd spot of drizzle.

    Cloud will tend to break up during the afternoon though to give some sunny spells. It will be breezy and chilly.

    Click here for more weather.

    Weather charts
  11. Walsall edge past Sunderland in FA Cuppublished at 08:14 Greenwich Mean Time 12 December 2018

    Liam Kinsella's superb goal helps Walsall edge past Sunderland in their FA Cup second-round replay.

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  12. Good morningpublished at 07:59 Greenwich Mean Time 12 December 2018

    Good morning and welcome to our live coverage of news, sport and travel from across the North East.

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

    If you want to get in touch with any news or send us photos you can tweet us, external, contact us via our Facebook, external page or email us.

  13. Council consultant to be evictedpublished at 19:20 Greenwich Mean Time 11 December 2018

    Graham Harper provided PR for Northumberland County Council's former development company Arch.

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  14. Our live coverage across the daypublished at 18:00 Greenwich Mean Time 11 December 2018

    Our live updates here have finished for the day - thank you for joining us.

    This feed will be updated overnight with any breaking news and sport stories as well as travel updates.

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

    We'll be back tomorrow from 08:00.

    If you want to get in touch with any news or send us photos you can tweet us, external, contact us via our Facebook , externalpage or email us.

  15. Controversial recovery centre opens in Fenhampublished at 17:54 Greenwich Mean Time 11 December 2018

    Local Democracy Reporting Service
    Daniel Holland

    A controversial new drugs and alcohol recovery centre has opened at a revamped library in Newcastle, despite protests from locals.

    More than 3,000 people signed a petition calling for the City Council to reverse its decision to open the hub in Fenham.

    But the council says the hub will help save the library, it won't include needle exchanges and doesn't post any danger to the community.

    Fenham libraryImage source, Google Maps

    Fenham Library has reopened with a 'soft launch' and council bosses have arranged a series of open sessions at the library this week in a bid to reassure residents that the new services will not pose a danger to the community.

    Campaigners say the fight is not over.

  16. Northumbria police thank the public for their cooperationpublished at 17:51 Greenwich Mean Time 11 December 2018

    Northumbria Police have thanked the public for their vigilance after a "suspicious item" was reported at a Gateshead car park.

    Police were called at 14:26 today where they found a suitcase which was padlocked to the railings, but it turned out to be harmless.

    A Northumbria Police spokesperson said: "The call was made in good faith and we would like to thank the public for their cooperation."

    The owner of the bag has since come forward.

  17. 'Snow angels' needed in County Durhampublished at 17:37 Greenwich Mean Time 11 December 2018

    Lucy Moody
    Journalist

    Do you normally help your vulnerable neighbours around this time of the year by doing your part in clearing the snow around their homes?

    If the answer is yes, you could be one of County Durham's Snow Angels.

    Durham Police wants volunteers to support its officers by clearing paths of heavy snow and ice, as well as delivering essential goods to those who are less mobile.

    The project, which is now in its eighth year, is to be extended to the Consett area.

    Shoveling snowImage source, AP
  18. Cleveland police train staff through dramapublished at 17:34 Greenwich Mean Time 11 December 2018

    BBC Tees

    Cleveland Police has been using theatre to help train its staff.

    It's part of a project using "drama-based training" - to improve the way police deal with cases of domestic abuse.

    It is based on real life stories of women who've survived abuse and coercive behaviour.

    The play, Rattlesnake, is being used to train officers, and staff, through role-play after watching the performance.

    Barry Coppinger, Cleveland Police & Crime Commissioner, said: "It brings home to people the reality of coercive control and I want our officers and staff to be the best possibility trained and developed they can be."

  19. Sunderland police need your helppublished at 17:34 Greenwich Mean Time 11 December 2018

    Lucy Moody
    Journalist

    Sunderland police need your help identifying a man in the Washington area.

    If you recognise the man below please ring 101 with the reference 671 211018

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  20. Veteran unveils WW1 memorial on birthdaypublished at 17:33 Greenwich Mean Time 11 December 2018

    Three carved stones were unveiled at Catterick Garrison army base by a veteran on his 100th birthday.

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