The Education Secretary has said that a new "maths school" is to open in Durham.

Gavin Williamson gave details about the school in his speech at the Conservative party conference in Manchester.

He said: "I can announce today that we are working with Durham University and Durham Sixth Form College to open a new maths school there.

"We will open in total 11 of these to start with, at least one in every single region of England."

Image source, PA Media

Details of all the county cricket signings and departures from the 2020 season.

A large fire has broken out at a scrapyard on the banks of the River Tees in Middlesbrough.

Crews were sent to the site on the corner of Commercial Street and Vulcan Street just after 14:00.

Cleveland Fire Brigade said no casualties were reported.

Roads in the area have been closed.

Drivers are being warned to steer clear of the roads around a scrapyard fire in Middlesbrough.

Crews are tackling the blaze on the site on the corner of Commercial Road and Vulcan Street.

People are being asked to stay indoors if possible and keep doors and windows closed.

Barry Coppinger has been facing calls to resign since the forces was rated inadequate in all areas.

Here are some more photos of the clouds of smoke over Middlesbrough from a scrapyard fire.

Firefighters are currently tackling the blaze at the site on the corner of Commercial Road and Vulcan Street.

No casualties have been reported. Roads around the area are closed.

A large fire has broken out at a scrapyard on the banks of the River Tees.

Crews were sent to the site on the corner of Commercial Street and Vulcan Street just after 14:00.

Cleveland Fire Brigade said no casualties were reported.

The roads heading to the Transporter Bridge and Middlesbrough College have been closed.

The college said there is no risk to the college or students and the smoke is not affecting the campus.

An exhibition documents the stories of people who have made their homes in the North East.

BBC Entertainment and Arts

North East-born actress Denise Welch has been praised after sharing her experience of the "unwelcome visitor" of depression.

The Tynemouth-born Loose Women panellist posted a series of videos on Twitter, in an attempt to explain depression "to those who are fortunate enough not to suffer".

"As someone who professes to be a mental health advocate I have to share the bad times with you," she said.

One mental health charity described Ms Welch as "courageous".

Image source, Getty Images

Durham County Council wants old photos of Church Street, Seaham, for a restoration project.

South Shields comedian Chris Ramsey made it through to the third week of Strictly Come Dancing last night after performing the Charleston with his partner Karen Hauer on Saturday.

Things look pretty grim for Newcastle after Sunday's heavy defeat by Leicester but I don't think they need to press the panic button yet, says MOTD2 pundit Micah Richards.

BBC Tees

A public consultation starts tomorrow as a planning application to extend the life of Boultby mine by another 25 years is submitted.

The current planning permission, which has been in place since 1968, expires in 2023.

For years ICL Boulby produced potash but supplies of it dwindled.

The company now mines polyhalite which is used as a fertiliser in agriculture.

Image source, GOOGLE

Aquarium staff say they are devastated by the death of Macca the seal.

John Mackay, 49, and Tommy Williams, 65, died in an explosion at the SSI site.

Details of all the county cricket signings and departures from the 2019 season.

The A66 is to be made into a dual carriageway all the way from Scotch Corner to Penrith, the government is expected to announced later.

Image source, Google

It's part of a package of spending pledges due to be made by Chancellor Sajid Javid at the Conservative Party conference in Manchester.

It will include road upgrades, improved bus services and better broadband and 5G connectivity.

Newcastle United boss Steve Bruce says there was "a complete surrender" from his side as they were hammered 5-0 by Leicester City.

BBC Weather

If you're wondering whether you'll need a brolly this morning, well, the answer is you might as there'll be scattered showers among sunny spells.

Increasing cloud this afternoon will bring further rain. It will stay cloudy tonight with further spells of rain and drizzle.

Nisha Joshi
BBC broadcast journalist

Two children were injured in a serious accident that closed the A1 in north Northumberland last night.

Police said four vehicles were involved in the incident near the B6349 junction close to Belford.

The road was shut in both directions from the early evening. Several ambulances and two air ambulances were sent to the scene.

A man and a woman were also among those reported hurt. The road has since reopened.