Local Democracy Reporting Service
Herbert Soden

Residents have been evacuated from an apartment complex in Gateshead because of flooding.

Gateshead Housing Company posted on social media about flooding at Eslington Court, in Dunston.

It said everyone had been evacuated safely and rest centres had been set up

In a statement it said: "Due to lack of water and power supply, residents can not yet return home.

"Rest centres and transport have been set up. At the rest centres, we will offer hotel accommodation to everyone who needs it."

“Our priority is the safety of our residents, and we are pleased to say they have all been evacuated safely, in line with public health Covid guidelines.”

Image source, Gateshead council

Rubbish is left at popular areas as people took advantage of the sun and easing of lockdown restrictions.

Paul Robson is sentenced to life for beating his ex-partner to death and trying to kill a teenage boy.

Winger Jack Diamond signs a new "long-term" contract with Sunderland, after breaking into the first team this season.

Three men have been arrested after the crash on the A689 near Greatham on Tuesday.

Durham sign all-rounder Alex Thomson on a two-month loan from Warwickshire to play in the County Championship.

Caroline Kayll suffered fatal injuries during the attack by Paul Robson, who also tried to kill a boy.

The £31m bridge will connect Sunderland city centre with the Stadium of Light football ground.

Relive Friday's EFL action as Preston grab a late draw with Championship leaders Norwich and Birmingham earn a vital victory.

People living in County Durham will head to the polls on 6 May to elect a police and crime commissioner.

People in the Tees Valley will head to the polls on 6 May to elect a mayor.

Middlesbrough are fined £10,000 after their players "failed to conduct themselves in an orderly fashion" following the defeat by Swansea.

The East Pilgrim Street plan includes a leisure and shopping development on the current stack site.

The Dex Garage in Newcastle dates from 1931 was the first of its kind in the north of England.

Move over David Brent, settle down John Betjeman, the town is going to be an environmental pioneer.

Local Democracy Reporting Service

A report has described a number of incidents involving Redcar and Cleveland Council staff apparently breaching coronavirus guidelines.

John Sampson, who worked on the report for members of the council’s employment, health and safety committee, said when challenged some staff had responded by stating they had received a Covid vaccine.

The report said: “It is becoming apparent that in some cases there is a misperception that having a vaccine – or previously being ill with Covid-19 means that it is unnecessary to follow control measures.

“Messaging has been reinforced to highlight that this is not the case and that social distancing and other risk mitigation controls should still be applied."

He added that all current control measures remain in place in council buildings.

A public health boss has warned people not to get carried away as lockdown restrictions are eased.

Two households or groups of up to six people are now able to meet outside and the stay-at-home restrictions have come to an end.

Outdoor sport facilities including tennis courts and golf courses have also reopened, along with organised outdoor sports.

Director of Public Health in Gateshead Alice Wiseman said: "We should all do the things we're supposed to do in terms of keeping that mixing to a minimum, making sure we maintain a social distance, following the rule of six, because if we can't do that we'll see cases start to rise, we'll start to see pressure in our NHS and we'll be taking steps backwards."

Listen to BBC radio commentary from Friday's action in the National League.

With some lockdown restrictions easing today, mountain rescue teams in Northumberland are calling on people to be prepared when they head out into the hills.

People can now meet in groups of six, or two families, as long as they are outside, and outdoor sport facilities and the stay-at-home rule have ended, although the government is asking people to stay local as much as possible.

Last year mountain rescue team volunteers responded to 150 incidents in Northumberland National Park and say despite the easing of lockdown restrictions, there is still risk and it takes longer to carry out rescues because of Covid protocols.

People heading to the national park for exercise are being asked to check the weather forecast and to make sure they have the right kit with them.

Image source, Northumberland National Park MRT

Bringing you the latest news from across the North East from Monday 29 March to Friday 2 April 2021