Calls to a major domestic violence charity increased by more than 50 per cent during the pandemic in 2020.

It is suggested the building could be turned into a hotel, new housing or a care home.

North Tyneside staff say they are at risk from pupils who cannot wear masks or socially distance.

Late-shift work on one assembly line in Sunderland will be suspended for one week, the firm says.

The couple said fostering during the Covid pandemic had been "challenging but rewarding."

Dame Irene Hays says tributes to her husband John have given her "determination" to carry on.

Listen to BBC radio commentary of Gloucester v Worcester Warriors in the Premiership following earlier wins for Bristol Bears, London Irish and Newcastle Falcons

Listen to BBC Radio Tees commentary on Hartlepool United v Barnet in the National League following a day of action in non-league's top tier and the FA Trophy quarter-finals.

The charity Olivia Inspires is helping children "achieve their dreams".

The company behind the trial says one user has already been banned but most have been responsible.

Sunderland move fifth after claiming a third straight League One win for the first time this season with victory over Fleetwood.

New Bristol City boss Nigel Pearson watches his side end a run of six straight league defeats by beating Middlesbrough.

Wrexham and Hartlepool United settle for a point apiece after a hard fought battle in difficult conditions at the Racecourse.

The family of a Stockton man who died at the weekend have paid tribute to him, saying he was a "very popular and well-known person".

Adam Chawla suffered "significant injuries" at a home on Eleanor Place in Stockton on Friday 19 April. He died in hospital on Sunday.

In a statement his family said: “He was a kind-natured person and when he was younger he used to help elderly neighbours with shopping and errands.

“He also used to work in a local restaurant which he really enjoyed.

“Adam comes from a large and very loving family, including his two children aged eight and three and we will all miss him terribly."

Image source, Cleveland Police

• Three men aged 50, 40 and 29 have been charged with Mr Chawla's murder and are due before Teesside Magistrates' Court.

Police have discovered crossbow bolts in nesting boxes at a country park in Hartlepool.

Officers were called to Summerhill country park at the weekend after reports of people acting suspiciously.

They found the bolts lodged into owl nesting boxes.

It's not know if any birds were in the boxes when they were targeted.

Image source, Cleveland Police

Local Democracy Reporting Service
James Harrison

Firefighters in Tyne and Wear have shaved vital seconds off the time it takes them to reach serious incidents by getting ready before a call-out.

A pre-alert system was introduced for responders almost two years ago to give crews a heads up of suspected blazes.

Firefighters are alerted as soon as a 999 call is answered.

Under national response standards, crews are supposed to be dispatched within a minute of being notified of the most serious incidents and arrive six minutes later.

The average response time to "primary fires" among English fire brigades in 2019-20 was eight minutes and 43 seconds, making the Tyne and Wear Fire service the fastest in the country, with an average response time of six minutes 29 seconds.

Super League's Magic Weekend is moved to the weekend of 4-5 September to allow more fans to attend.

The trio are accused of killing Adam Chawla, 27, who was found with serious injuries in Stockton.

Cleveland Police has uncovered a cannabis farm at a house in Billingham.

Neighbourhood officers seized the plants, with a street value of £130,000, from a house on Gainford Road yesterday.

A 30-year-old man has been charged with producing class B drugs.

Image source, Cleveland Police