Daniel Colegate is scouring lower mountainsides for Esther Dingley while waiting for snow to clear.

Patrick Stokes, 24, admitted failing to ensure the welfare of animals in his care.

There was North East success at Hollywood's biggest night as James Reed, one of the team behind My Octopus Teacher, landed the Oscar for best documentary feature - and the first person to congratulate him was none other than Brad Pitt.

Director James, who grew up in Prudhoe, Northumberland, described the win as a "phenomenal moment".

He told BBC Radio Newcastle: "I really wasn't expecting it. I'm absolutely delighted.

"I'm holding [the statue] now. It's very, very heavy. He's a big old chap.

"We were sat behind [British actress] Carey Mulligan and really felt very small-time next to all these celebs and then we came off the stage and the first person to congratulate us was Brad Pitt.

"That was weird, but fantastic."

The Netflix production, co-directed by Pippa Ehrlich, covers filmmaker Craig Foster bonding with an octopus in a South African kelp forest over 12 months.

The trophies were handed out in one of the grand halls at Los Angeles's Union Station to allow for a Covid-safe ceremony.

Image source, EPA

Bringing you the latest news from across the North East from Monday 26 April to Friday 30 April 2021

Derbyshire bat out final day to secure draw against Durham thanks to stand-in captain Wayne Madsen's 74.

The body of 39-year-old Tomasz Dembler was found in woods near Flatts Lane Country Park on 12 April.

The man died after being found with "significant injuries" by police attending a "disturbance".

Newcastle substitute Joe Willock scores a dramatic stoppage-time equaliser to damage Liverpool's hopes of Champions League football.

Durham fast bowler Chris Rushworth helps his side build a strong platform to press on for victory against Derbyshire.

Sheffield Wednesday move a step closer to relegation after falling to defeat at Middlesbrough.

Sunderland's Charlie Wyke takes his season tally to 30 goals with a double before Accrington bounce back to claim a point in an entertaining draw.

Late tries from Lloyd Evans and Willi Heinz see Gloucester come back to beat Newcastle 35-24 in the Premiership.

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp says they did not deserve to beat Newcastle after wasting a string of "sensational" chances.

Newcastle United manager Steve Bruce says his side were "always a threat" in their 1-1 draw with Liverpool in the Premier League.

Police and crime commissioners, councillors and elected mayors are all set to be voted in.

Peter and Sheila Kirkup, who have since been discharged, thank staff for saving their lives.

David Bedingham's career-best 257 and Chris Rushworth's four wickets put Durham firmly on top against Derbyshire.

Linesman John Bell died when he grabbed overhead cables which he believed had been switched off.

Local Democracy Reporting Service
Alex Metcalfe

A fire-ravaged scrapyard in Middlesbrough will be cleared with government money so new apartments can be built.

A blaze at the Jap Euro North East Ltd scrapyard, near Middlesbrough College in September 2019, saw residents evacuated and smoke was seen as far away as Whitby.

The burnt out remains of cars can still be seen on the site off Vulcan Street and Commercial Street, but soon the area should be cleared.

Money from a £7.9m brownfield housing fund will be used to transform the scrapyard site so it is ready for development.

Plans for further homes, offices, a new school and urban farm area also being drawn up for land “over the border”.

MIddlesbrough council regeneration chief Richard Horniman said: “We’re going through the final throes of the legal work required to get full possession (of the site) and get the stock away.

“Once we’ve done that, we’ve got the money in place to go in and clear that site ready for a housing development.

“That work will be going on over the next 18 months.”

Premiership Rugby has moved two fixtures in mid-May to a Monday night in the hope of having fans attend.