Good morning and welcome to our live coverage.

We've got all the news, sport, travel and weather through the day.

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Burton boss Nigel Clough says reaching the Carabao Cup semi-finals for the first time after beating Middlesbrough is "absolutely remarkable".

Man City beat Leicester on penalties, while League One Burton shock Middlesbrough to reach the semi-finals.

Jonathan Carr was found dead after Daniel Smith went to a police station and asked if he was "OK".

Police would like to speak to three people following a robbery in Newcastle last month.

A 22-year-old man was walking on Mosley Street when he was put in a headlock and had his wallet stolen.

A bank card was subsequently used in a number of shops across the city.

Police have now released images of three people they wish to speak to.

Image source, Northumbria Police

Police say a 59-year-old man from Manchester has been arrested on suspicion of assault causing grievous bodily harm, after a pensioner was found seriously injured on the Glebe at Bowness on Sunday evening.

The 69-year-old victim, from Sunderland, is being treated in the Royal Preston Hospital, where at one point his condition was described as critical.

Middlesbrough bus station has won a national award for keeping passengers safe for the third year in a row.

The Safer Bus Station Award highlights good practice in security for passengers and staff, and recognises operators' efforts to cut crime.

Award judges say they're very impressed with the bus station's clean and tidy facilities, its Dementia Friendly quiet room and pay before use its refurbished toilets.

In October, Middlesbrough Mayor Dave Budd confirmed plans to replace the current bus station with a smaller facility on the existing site.

Image source, Google

It's Tuesday afternoon again and that can only mean only thing.... It's time for my tweet of the day.

While scrolling through Twitter I came across this familiar face on the RSPCA's page...

Some of you might even recognise her...

Below you'll see El, who was rescued back in January by a man walking his dog in the Lowfields area of Middlesbrough - I remember going along and meeting her.

At the time she was taken in and being treated for a skin disease but just take a look at her now!

She's a bouncy puppy with a loving family and her story reached thousands of people on social media.

BBC Newcastle

A Durham optometrist is changing the way sight tests are carried out for people with learning disabilities, autism or dementia.

Simon Berry has spent the last three years working alongside Durham University on the Visual Fixation System.

It allows patients to watch a video on a phone while their eyes are being examined.

Colin Dean says it's already helping his son William, who's 13, and has down syndrome.

Mark Livermore, who worked for singer James Arthur, has admitted taking the money.

Lucy Moody
Journalist

As the big day gets closer, yes - I'm talking about the 25 December - Middlesbrough Council has launched its latest campaign urging people to come forward and register as foster parents.

Ray and Natalie Donnison have fostered 40 children over the past six years say being a foster parent at this time of year is particularly special.

They added: "It's magical to be a part of that experience for them, for example bringing them downstairs and seeing that Santa's been because you know they'll remember that for the rest of their life."

And if you are interested in becoming a foster carer then just go the website fostering for Middlesbrough, external

Local Democracy Reporting Service
Nic Marko

Council bosses in Hartlepool are urging people in the area to back them in a bid to ban on balloon and lantern releases.

It comes as Hartlepool Borough Council neighborhood service committee approved plans to adopt a policy calling for no balloon and sky lantern releases on council owned and managed land.

Between July and October this year, there was a 14-week public consultation and awareness campaign to give people the chance to comment on the proposal.

During that time 94.5% of respondents stated that they supported the council adopting a non release policy of balloons and sky lanterns.

Coun Stephen Akers-Belcher said it was now about spreading the message to people of the move and encourage other alternatives.

"At the time you do these kind of things without being aware of the full environmental impact, this is our opportunity to really promote it more."

Simon Cowell said he was "really excited" about teenager Courtney Hadwin's future.

When Adam Forster died from a brain tumour, his family set a goal to fundraise £20,000.

Academic Matthew Hedges says he is now undergoing specialist psychiatric treatment.

Lucy Moody
Journalist

There's no doubt it's been a remarkable time in British politics recently.

We've all been watching it unfold on our screens as we make sense of what has been happening while tensions have been running high.

The most recent news trending at the moment is the heated conversation between Conservative MP David Davies and Redcar Labour MP Anna Turley over a so-called people's vote on Brexit.

During a live Sky debate, the MPs clashed, resulting in Mr Davies complaining that wasn't being given a chance to respond.

Mr Davies then pulled out his phone and told Ms Turley: "I'll check my phone while you have a little chat ok, you carry on."

Lucy Moody
Journalist

So if any story could put a smile on Scrooge's face it has to be this one.

Honestly, if you're not feeling the festive spirit you will after reading this heart warming story about 10-year-old Ryan Cunningham.

Ryan, from Consett, is a massive fan of his local bin men and for the past three years the bin crew, Gary, Lee and Paul have taken it upon themselves to club together to buy their biggest supporter a present.

Image source, Durham County Council

And last Thursday they did exactly that...

The team got together to deliver a Christmas card and present for Ryan that was left with them by Santa.

As you can see from the photograph above, Ryan’s mum Jacqui, was overwhelmed by their generosity and said: “What the crew do for Ryan is unbelievable.

"I just think it’s something that they should be recognised for. It’s really nice that they take time to speak to him and it makes his day. I can’t speak highly enough of the three bin crew, they’re fantastic.”

Image source, Durham County Council

BBC Tees

A care home on Teesside which supports people living with Alzheimer's is to close it's doors next year.

Cleveland Alzheimer's Residential Centre announced last month that it was holding a consultation into the future of its residential home in Thornaby - Kirkdale, but now the charity has announced that it will be shutting along with its day care centre in Guisborough.

It means 24 families will be affected by the move along with 47 workers who will have to move job or find new ones.

BBC Newcastle

Campaigners are due to go to court later to challenge a decision to change maternity, stroke, and children's care in South Tyneside and Sunderland.

A High Court judge in Leeds will examine the plans from NHS chiefs, called the Path to Excellence.

Bosses say they are trying to deliver "high quality, joined up, sustainable care", and it's the best use of resources.

The Shields Gazette

A teenager from South Shields has denied murdering Sunderland shop worker Joan Hoggett., external

Image source, Shields Gazette