The inquest into the deaths of two amateur Durham rugby players is due to resume today.

Thomas Baty, who was 26, and Thomas Howard, 25, died after becoming unwell following a visit to a nightclub in Columbo, Sri Lanka in May last year.

The men were on a tour of the country with Durham-based Clems Pirates RFC.

A local investigation found Mr Howard died from intoxication of heroin and Mr Baty from an overdose of an opiate.

Image source, DCRFC

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When Leicester City winger Matt Piper's career was cut short by injury he turned to alcohol.

England all-rounder Ben Stokes is voted Professional Cricketers' Association player of the year.

The call follows a Panorama documentary which appears to show patients being abused.

The stress of the confrontation "directly contributed" to Hilary Simmons' death, an inquest hears.

A man in his 20s, who police said is known to the victims, was arrested at the scene.

Our live updates have finished here for the day but this feed will continue to be updated with any breaking news and sport stories as well as travel updates.

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

We'll be back with more live updates from 08:00 tomorrow.

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Tonight will be generally dry with long clear spells and just the small chance of a shower near the coast.

It'll feel cold but the north-westerly wind will fall light.

Highs of 12C (53F)

After a cold start, tomorrow will be dry with some sunshine but high cloud will turn this increasingly hazy. Southerly breezes will start to freshen lightly later in the day.

Highs of 11C (51F)

Anna Snowdon
BBC Local Live

A mother and her child have been stabbed in Wallsend.

Police were called to reports that a woman and her son had been assaulted inside an address on Portland Close at about 14:15.

The pair have been taken to hospital with life-threatening injuries.

A man in his 20s, who is known to the victims, has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder.

Northumbria Police says extra officers will be on patrol this afternoon and throughout the evening.

Anna Snowdon
BBC Local Live

A County Durham man has been jailed for three years for smashing a forklift truck into a supermarket in Scotland and stealing over £80,000.

Jordan Still, 26, from Wingate, admitted he and an unknown number of others used a forklift to ram into the supermarket in Gretna last September.

They caused £17,000 damage to the building and smashed open the cash machine, stealing £86,000. The police were able to recover several thousand pounds.

The Sheriff in Dumfries said it was "a carefully planned and executed crime".

Image source, Solway Press Services

Cpl Joshua Hoole died during an Army fitness test on a hot day in Brecon in July 2016.

From giant models of Earth and the Moon to a helter-skelter and crazy golf course, cathedrals are increasingly playing host to large artworks and attractions.

Church bosses across the country have been keen to shake free from the stereotype of silence and reverence.

Cathedrals are being used for huge art projects, like the Lumiere Festival which has seen enormous illuminations projected on to the exterior of Durham Cathedral while the interior hosted spectacular installations.

So why are buildings built for worship being used in the pursuit of fun?

Image source, Getty Images

Anna Snowdon
BBC Local Live

An event is being held at Newcastle College to support staff affected by the recent collapse of Thomas Cook.

Free sessions are being run by Connect Heath to help them find new jobs in the region.

The event tomorrow from 10:00 until 14:00 will include practical workshops and talks on:

• Interview Skills session 10.30, 11.30, 13.00
• CV writing
• Job searching advice
• Recruitment stands
• Financial advice and support

Image source, EPA

Peter Harris
BBC Look North

A Tesco worker collapsed and died after an “altercation” with an alleged shoplifter in Middlesbrough, an inquest has heard.

Hilary Simmons was taken ill soon after the incident at the Tesco Express store on Corporation Road on 30 April last year.

A pathologist concluded the stress of the confrontation “directly contributed to her death”, but not to a criminal standard.

A post-mortem examination found the 59-year-old mother-of-two, from Ingleby Barwick, had heart disease which could have caused sudden death at any time.

The inquest, at Teesside Coroner’s Court, continues.

Image source, FAMILY PHOTO

Local Democracy Reporting Service

Proposals for a new GP practice in Nunthorpe have been given support by a member of an NHS Clinical Commissioning Group.

Nunthorpe Surgery, on Guisborough Road, has seen a 20% increase in patient numbers in the past five years but the current building only has two GP consulting rooms and has been described as “increasingly unsuitable”, with crowded waiting facilities and stairs restricting access.

As a result, the Borough Road and Nunthorpe Medical Group surgery team have drawn up proposals for a new facility with up to eight GP consulting rooms and room for nurses and therapists.

After a meeting to discuss the proposals, Dr Stewart Findlay of South Tees CCG confirmed he would be making a positive recommendation to the CCG board to approve the business case for the surgery at their December meeting.

The crash on Coniston Road involved a Skoda and an HGV.

A Morpeth man is brightening people's days with his unusual artwork.

Anna Snowdon
BBC Local Live

A 21-year-old woman died in a two-vehicle collision in Blyth, Northumberland, last night.

At 20:20 police received a report of a collision involving a yellow Skoda Fabia and an HGV on Coniston Road.

The female passenger of the Skoda was taken to hospital, where she was later pronounced dead. Her family is being supported by specialist offices, Northumbria Police said.

Neither the male driver of the Skoda nor the driver of the HGV were seriously injured.

A man has been arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and he remains in custody.

Jade Smith, who was found dead on Sunday, is remembered as "passionate, brilliant and talented".