Whenever voters go to the polls it's their dogs which take centre stage as they accompany their owners to polling stations across the country.

In an election tradition, the hashtag #dogsatpollingstations has been trending as social media users share pictures of their 'pawlitical' companions.

As the general election is being held in December for the first time since 1923, we are being treated to photos of our furry four-legged friends in festive spirit.

Here's Spencer the labradoodle in Newcastle.

Image source, LABRADOODLE SPENCER

BBC Newcastle

The majority of people who took part in a clean air consultation now back plans to charge high-polluting vehicles in Newcastle, but there are further warnings of chaos on the Tyne Bridge.

After most rejected initial proposals this revised idea reduces the size of a clean air zone for the city centre.

It'll affect drivers of coaches, buses and lorries which don't meet emissions standards from 2021.

There are also plans to have a single lane in both directions on the Tyne Bridge, but people fear this will cause congestion in the surrounding area instead.

The proposals are expected to be approved by councillors next week, before being submitted to the government.

Voters across the North East are going to polling stations across the North East today for the general election.

A sign at St Aidan's Church in Brunton Park, Newcastle, has been giving voters some helpful guidance of which direction they need to head depending on why they are there...

Image source, St Aidan's Church

Leighton Barrass is convicted of murder, while Ally Gordon is found guilty of manslaughter.

Jonathan Swingler
Video Journalist

Qualified guide dog Quaver has made it to the polling station at County Durham today - despite having poorly feet.

Image source, Getty Images

Durham Wildlife Trust has paid tribute to naturalist David Bellamy, who died yesterday, aged 86.

Mr Bellamy was its president and more recently held the position of patron.

In a statement, the trust said: "We will miss his unwavering support and commitment and will continue to do everything we can to conserve wildlife and encourage the next generation to appreciate and respect our flora and fauna."

London-born Bellamy, who lived in County Durham, presented programmes such as Don't Ask Me, Bellamy On Botany, Bellamy's Britain, Bellamy's Europe and Bellamy's Backyard Safari.

Trust director Jim Cokill said: "David Bellamy was one of the main reasons why I do the job I do today.

"His TV programmes gave me a love of wildlife and the natural world from a young age and I'm grateful to have had the opportunity to meet him in later life.

"He made a lasting contribution to nature conservation in the North East, the country as a whole and across the world."

A 75-seat theatre in Newcastle has been shortlisted for the Stage Awards 2020, alongside well-known venues such as the London Palladium.

Alphabetti Theatre is nominated for fringe theatre of the year, running up against Bunker Theatre and Orange Tree Theatre, both in London, for the prize.

The winners will be announced on 31 January at the Royal Opera House in London.

Image source, Google

BBC Newcastle

Noise from construction workers, rubbish bags being left in corridors and windows blocked by scaffolding.

These are just some of the issues facing Newcastle students living at St James' Point - a privately owned high rise block near St James Park in Newcastle.

Students say they weren't warned about the disruption when they signed contracts at the start of the academic year.

Student Roost which owns the building says it will discount the worst affected students and says it told residents as soon as possible after the work was confirmed.

It costs students between £5,600 and £10,000 a year in rent to live in the block.

Vicky Hepstead, an editor of the student news site The Tab in Newcastle, says "it just builds up unnecessary stress".

"If you pile this on top of exams and essays it really isn't going to help," she says.

Image source, Google

BBC Newcastle

A man's due to be sentenced today after killing a 10-year-old girl in a hit and run in Newcastle.

Melissa Tate was hit by Connor Marsden's car in Kenton in September.

The 23-year-old from Ambridge Way pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving and is due to be sentenced later.

A 10-year-old boy was surprised by his hero singer Sam Fender after receiving gig tickets for his birthday.

Abbie Dewhurst
Weather Presenter, BBC Look North

There'll be a very chilly start to the day today and there's a risk of some ice on untreated surfaces.

We're also going to see some rain moving through from the west as the cloud thickens throughout the morning.

The rain could be heavy and there could be some sleet or snow mixed in with it over higher ground

Temperatures will get up to about 4 or 5C.

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

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

How do Sunderland and Newcastle return election results so quickly and is there really a race?

What results to look out for, and when, on election night with BBC Electioncast's Adam Fleming.

Tributes are paid to the "larger-than-life" TV broadcaster, scientist and conservationist.

Newcastle winger Allan Saint-Maximin will be out until January due to a hamstring injury he suffered in the Magpies' victory over Southampton on Sunday.

Our live updates have finished here for the day.

This page will be updated with any breaking news, sport or travel through the night. You can also stay up to date online, on BBC Newcastle, BBC Tees and Look North.

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

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

Professor Sir John Curtice
Polling expert

If Mr Johnson is to win an overall majority, he is likely to have to win a significant number of marginal seats from Labour.

Of Labour's 50 most marginal seats, as many as 39 voted in favour of Leave in the 2016 referendum. In 16, more than 60% voted Leave.

These leave-inclined marginals - in north-east Wales, the Midlands and the north of England - are said to form Labour's "red wall".

They are seats in which Labour came only narrowly ahead of the Conservatives in the 2017 election. Many, such as Bishop Auckland, Workington, and Wrexham, have traditionally been safe Labour seats. Indeed, some of them have never returned a Conservative in a post-war general election.

Image source, BBC/PA

Leighton Barrass knifed 18-year-old Connor Brown during an argument outside a pub in February.

BBC News Education
By Tom Barton, BBC Victoria Derbyshire

Pupils in some of the poorest regions of England are losing out because parents cannot afford to fill a funding shortfall with donations, BBC News has found.

The BBC's Victoria Derbyshire programme's analysis of Department for Education data shows the average school in England generated £59 per pupil from donations in 2017-18 - 1.07% of its overall budget.

The money is often raised through events, such as fun runs and school fairs.

In the North East, school donations are below the national average.

At Westmoor Primary School - just outside Newcastle - fewer than 6% of pupils are eligible for free school meals.

There, a recent muddy fun run raised £4,500 for pupils. While such events last year brought in £16,000 - or £45 per child.

Some schools, like Hawthorn Primary, fare much worse.

Based in Newcastle's city centre, nearly 50% of its pupils have free school meals.

Last year its donations brought in just £1,200 - less than £5.50 per pupil.