In this special, Professor Alice Roberts reveals the forgotten story of the Roman Army's secret weapon in Britain - their cavalry. These fearsome horsemen were the key to defending Britain's most famous Roman monument fortification, Hadrian's Wall.

Alice sets off across Hadrian's Wall to investigate any evidence the Roman cavalry left behind, while a team of archaeologists and historical re-enactors attempt to restage a Roman cavalry tournament - a spectacle that no-one has seen for over 1,600 years.

We follow the team's training as they prepare for the performance, and Alice joins them at a public display in Carlisle where 30 riders perform in front of a crowd of spectators.

To put the cavalry's story in context, the film also explores the latest archaeological digs happening across the UK, each of which is searching for new evidence of the Roman cavalry.

On her journey across Hadrian's Wall, Alice visits some of the most iconic sites associated with the Roman cavalry, including Chester's Roman fort, Vindolanda fort and museum and Hexham Abbey. Along the way she builds a picture of the horsemen's lives here on the northern frontier of the Roman Empire.

Local Democracy Reporting Service
James Harrison

The political map in the North East could be redrawn, with Wansbeck in Northumberland plus Houghton and Sunderland South potentially losing constituencies.

England’s biggest local authority is currently represented in Westminster by four constituencies – Berwick-upon-Tweed, Blyth Valley, Hexham and Wansbeck.

But under new proposals put forward by the Boundary Commission for England, this could be reduced to three, with Blyth and Wansbeck merged and a host of changes for the remaining two.

It's a similar story on Wearside with the Houghton and Sunderland South constituency vanishing too - the current seat of Labour's Bridget Phillipson.

The Boundary Commission for England says the aim is to make Parliament fairer by giving each MP a roughly similar number of voters.

Image source, Getty Images

Conservative MP for Berwick-upon-Tweed, Anne-Marie Trevelyan (pictured above), was cautiously optimistic about the review.

She said: “I have reviewed the initial proposals and they seem a sensible way of increasing the size of the electorate in what is presently the Berwick-upon-Tweed constituency.

“I would of course be very sad to lose Longhorsley ward and the wonderful parishes it contains.”

Northumberland’s only Labour MP, Ian Lavery, (pictured above) who is set to see his Wansbeck seat merged with Blyth, was more sceptical about the possible changes, which are now set to go out for public consultation before they are finalised.

He said: “I am concerned about the fact the North East will lose two MPs that will be redistributed to other parts of the country further south.

“I will keep a close eye on where the lines are drawn and am ready to make my voice heard if I consider any changes to be unjustified.”

If approved, the changes would be introduced in time for the 2023 general election.

Bishop Auckland will receive £33.2m and Redcar and Hartlepool will each receive £25m of government money as part of the Towns Fund.

The money is part of a plan to "level up" England's regions and follows previously announced funding for Middlesbrough and Thornaby-on-Tees.

Redcar MP Jacob Young said: "It's going to mean we can do some amazing things in Redcar town centre like a new outdoor watersports centre at Coatham and a new indoor activity centre on the Esplanade.

"The only bittersweet part for me is that this is for Redcar and not for the wider borough."

Image source, Getty Images

Newcastle Falcons and Scotland flanker John Hardie is to retire at the end of the season.

James Riley and Donna Balfour admitted the charge after John Littlewood was battered to death.

Fire crews are called to Gateshead's Redheugh Court for the second time in six months.

A 41-year-old man has been stabbed in Middlesbrough.

Detectives are investigating after the man suffered a wound to his stomach when he was attacked on Sunday at 16:30 BST, at the junction of Gresham Road and Linthorpe Road.

Cleveland Police said the suspect, who was dressed in black and had his face covered with either a baseball cap or balaclava, ran onto Albert Terrace after the attack.

They believe he left the scene on the front of a bicycle, ridden by one of a group of men.

The victim has been allowed home from James Cook University Hospital after being treated for a minor injury.

Image source, Google

Scrum-half Sam Stuart signs a two-year contract extension at Premiership side Newcastle Falcons.

Hartlepool needed the fans' push in Sunday's National League play-off win over Bromley, says boss Dave Challinor.

A new flyover to allow drivers using the A19 between North Tyneside and North Yorkshire to travel without stopping has opened.

The Testos roundabout was closed to traffic over the weekend to allow the flyover to be installed joining the A19 into a continuous stretch.

Work around the flyover and junction will continue over the coming weeks, including work on the slip roads.

Closures and diversions will also remain in place at the nearby A19 Downhill Lane and the A1290 junction in Sunderland.

It's hoped the flyover will ease congestion - previously at peak times drivers could experience delays of up to four minutes per vehicle.

Image source, Highways England

Bringing you the latest news from across the North East from Monday 7 June to Friday 11 June 2021

Ben Blowes smashes his fundraising target more than seven times over by running 800 miles.

Rhys Oates scores twice as Hartlepool see off Bromley to reach the National League play-off semi-finals.

Vicky Hall decided to turn many nurse acting roles into the real thing.

Relive live text from the ninth round of fixtures in the County Championship season as Yorkshire seal a dramatic win over Sussex.

Worcestershire opener Jake Libby hits 126 to help the Pears reach 336 before Durham race to a 10-wicket win at New Road.

Adam Radwan scores two of Newcastle's four tries in a comfortable victory over struggling Worcester.

Listen to BBC radio commentary from the ninth round of fixtures in the 2021 County Championship season.

David Bedingham's third Championship century of the summer puts Durham in the driving seat against Worcestershire.

About 40 firefighters are tackling the fire across an area the size of nearly six football pitches.