A flood alert has been issued for the Tyne and Wear coast with the risk of wave over topping and sea spray at Seaburn Lower Promenade and Hendon Promenade between 15.00 and 19.30 today.

Image source, Simon Woodley

An appeal is launched to find a new heart for a poorly boy born on Boxing Day.

Lee Johnson
BBC Tees

Protests over the Arriva bus driver dispute have been continuing this morning.

It's day three of seven of the strike action over pay and conditions.

The company’s MD, Nick Knox, was at the Darlington depot speaking to drivers.

There's no word on any agreement on a pay deal as yet.

Fergus Hewison
BBC Newcastle political reporter

Charging some of the most polluting vehicles - including cars - to drive in congested areas on Tyneside would still mean air quality in some places might not meet government targets.

That's the conclusion of a study by Newcastle, Gateshead and North Tyneside councils.

The government has ordered all councils to improve air quality by introducing clean air zones, including by charging some vehicles to drive in these zones.

Image source, Reuters

The three Tyneside authorities looked at the impacts of charging the most polluting vehicles - including some diesel and petrol cars, plus lorries, buses, vans and taxis - to drive into a clean air zone or zones on Tyneside.

But the councils have concluded even charging might not reduce pollution caused by traffic enough to meet government targets before a deadline of 2021.

They also believe charging would hit the poorest residents hardest. They're now asking the government to let them come up with their own solutions to improve air quality - but have warned charging must not be imposed.

Concerns were raised about the techniques used by healthcare workers to move patients at the unit.

Local Democracy Reporting Service
Alex Metcalfe

Redcar and Cleveland councillor Carl Quartermain has been handed a three-figure fine for speeding.

Th 51-year-old was hit with a £102 fine and three penalty points for driving at 39mph in a 30mph zone while on holiday in Devon last February, and on Tuesday morning he was sentenced in his absence at Teesside Magistrates' Court.

Image source, Evening Gazette/Teesside Live

The case had been due to go to trial on the back of a hearing in November when he pleaded not guilty to speeding and failing to identify who was driving.

But the charge of failing to identify the driver was dropped by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) after Quartermain admitted speeding.

District Judge Helen Cousins ordered him to pay £85 costs and a £30 victim surcharge on top of the £102 fine - taking the total due to £217. He will have to pay the money within 14 days.

BBC Newcastle

Whether you class it as a derby or not... It's Sunderland against Newcastle United's under 21's tonight in the last 16 of the EFL Trophy.

About 16,000 fans are expected to be there for the match, which will see the two sides battle it out for a place in the quarter finals.

Hartlepool Mail
Newspaper

Good morning, here's today's front page and a link to the top story, external.

Image source, Hartlepool Mail

BBC Look North
North East and Cumbria

A new £10m railway station in East Durham has been approved.

The scheme, at Horden, near Peterlee, will see the creation of two platforms, shelters, a car park and bus stops.

The station is expected to open to passengers in spring 2020.

Durham County Council leader Simon Henig said it would "significantly improve" transport links, providing "a boost to the economy and widening employment opportunities".

Image source, Durham County Council

Some more on the story we brought you earlier - A train crashed into a taxi at a level crossing causing rail disruption last night.

Emergency services were called to Warden, near Hexham, Northumberland, at about 19:15.

British Transport Police said no casualties have been reported and the incident is not being treated as suspicious.

Northern said services between Hexham and Carlisle were unable to run, with bus replacement services organised.

Image source, Google

Former Nissan chairman Carlos Ghosn has maintained his innocence in his first court appearance since his shock arrest in Japan last year.

He has been in custody since November and faces allegations of financial misconduct and of under-reporting his pay package.

In a prepared statement, Mr Ghosn said he had been "wrongly accused and unfairly detained".

Image source, Getty Images

Ex-footballer Paul Gascoigne pleads not guilty to sexually assaulting a woman by kissing her on a train.

Lucy Moody
Journalist

Cleveland Police is warning people after a man made telephone calls purporting to be a police officer.

Two calls were made to members of the public, between 04:00 and 05:00 on Saturday morning.

The man claimed to be a sergeant calling from Middlesbrough Police Station.

Officers are advising people to contact them to check that the caller is genuine if they are unsure.

Durham County Council hopes the station at Horden will be open in the spring of 2020.

If the thrills and spills of the FA Cup third-round action have got you excited - how about getting a flavour of it yourself?

The 2019 FA People's Cup is now open for entries.

There's no experience required, it's free and you get the chance to play at St George's Park and lift a trophy during the FA Cup final in May.

Don't take our word for it - have a look at how these players felt about taking part in 2018...

Find out more about the competition and how you can get involved here.

Flood-hit homes in communities across South Tyneside are to benefit from proposed new measures.

The planned scheme will provide greater protection against the impact of flooding for some 60 properties, including flood-resistant front doors and flood gates.

Areas to benefit include Newcastle Road in South Shields and Elberfeld Court in Jarrow.

The work is being carried out following successful bids by South Tyneside Council for almost £150,000 from the Environment Agency.

The Monkton area of Hebburn South will also benefit from the improvements as part of the wider £2.5m Monkton Flood Alleviation Scheme – a partnership between the council and the Environment Agency.

BBC Look North
North East and Cumbria

Bus drivers in the region say they're expecting another strong turn out on the picket line again today.

Arriva ran just over one in five of its normal services yesterday - meaning quieter streets as a result of the strike across Teesside, County Durham and parts of North Yorkshire.

Around 650 drivers have walked out in a dispute over pay.

The Unite union says they need an extra £1 an hour, to stop them being the second worst paid drivers in the country.

Arriva says it's already made a "generous" offer to the unions.

Sunderland Echo
Newspaper

Good morning, our top story today is about the brave Sunderland toddler Hunter who has cerebral palsy, external.

Image source, Sunderland Echo

Former Newcastle, Middlesbrough and England footballer Paul Gascoigne is due in court today accused of sexually assaulting a woman by kissing her on a train.

The 51-year-old has denied a charge of sexual assault by touching.

He has previously defended himself on Twitter, saying he had stepped in to comfort a woman.

Image source, PA