Local Democracy Reporting Service
James Harrison

Staff at New Silksworth Academy in Sunderland have been given care packages to say thank you, as children return to schools.

The packs include chocolate, sweets, paracetamol and toiletries.

Silksworth councillor Phil Tye, who handed out the gifts, said: “You’re basically going back to the beginning with them and the staff are going to have an uphill battle.

“So this is just to say thank you for what they’ve all done so far and that we’re behind them all the way.”

The packs were put together with the help of Youth Almighty, an outreach organisation working in West Sunderland.

Tributes have been paid to an 89-year-old woman who died when her electric wheelchair collided with a van in Annfield Plain.

Kathleen Eastwood was crossing Station Road shortly after 12:00 GMT on Saturday when she was injured. She died at the scene.

In a statement, her family said: “She was a much-loved mam, gran, great gran, and great great gran and will be sadly missed.

“We wish to thank everyone for their support and ask to be left so that we can grieve in peace, we would also ask that there be no flowers left at the scene of the accident please.”

Image source, Family photo

A man in his 50s was arrested at the scene and is helping officers with their investigation.

Police are asking anyone who saw what happened to contact them.

A judge says it is "regrettable" Mark Page must wait so long for child sex abuse charges to be heard.

Northumbria Police is among 18 forces which will be given a share of £30m to tackle violent crime.

The Home Office says the money is being offered to forces which are "most affected by serious violence" and will be available in the coming year once police chiefs submit plans on how to spend it.

Home Secretary Priti Patel said the spending is part of more than £130m in the coming year to tackle violent crime.

It comes ahead of the introduction of a Criminal Justice Bill which will seek to give police more stop and search powers to tackle those known to carry knives and other weapons.

Image source, Northumbria Police

Two teenage boys who became lost while out mountain biking near Rothbury in Northumberland were found by mountain rescue volunteers.

It happened yesterday evening when the pair lost the track between Long Crag and Cartington Hill and as the light was fading they called 999.

Police managed to trace their mobile phone signal to Hard Heugh and called in Northumberland National Park and North of Tyne Mountain Rescue teams.

After about an hour they were found and taken back to Rothbury.

Image source, Northumberland National Park MRT

Returning all-rounder Scott Borthwick is named captain of Durham's County Championship side for the 2021 season.

Bringing you the latest news from across the North East from Monday 8 March to Friday 12 March 2021

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Gareth Vincent
BBC Sport Wales at the Liberty Stadium

Neil Warnock is not a happy man.

The Middlesbrough manager has had plenty to say to referee Gavin Ward and his team of officials this afternoon.

His players have done their best to lighten the mood, yet they continue to trail despite being the better side.

Can Swansea hold on for another 20 minutes?