His body was found in woods by two members of the public on Monday.

Four women are taken into police protection following raids targeting suspected human traffickers.

BBC Sport talks to those at Preston North End who are forging a link with the local Muslim community during Ramadan.

The firm pledges that workers at the site will be paid a minimum of £9.70 an hour.

Newcastle lock Darren Barry follows Gloucester centre Harry Trinder in joining French side RC Vannes as a 'medical joker'.

Sunderland's automatic promotion hopes suffer a blow after Wigan come from behind to win at DW Stadium.

Curator Maxine Bardley says Northumberland Zoo has faced its "worst year" amid fears over its future.

Investigators bought three counterfeit coloured contact lenses from Zahra Gillani, jurors hear.

Evening ferry crossings between North and South Shields will resume next week.

Nexus, which operates the Shields Ferry, says crossings after 18:30 on weekdays and on Saturdays will be restored with the last one leaving North Shields at 20:00 Monday to Wednesday, and at 22:50 Thursday to Saturday.

Customer services director Huw Lewis said: “Customers are still advised to minimise travel, follow social distancing rules and good hand hygiene, and wear a face covering on board at all times unless exempt.”

The timetable on Sundays is not changing and services will continue to end at 18:00.

Image source, Nexus

The evening 9mph limit in the city centre aims to curb their use by "overly-exuberant revellers".

A doctor in Stockton has recorded videos in three different languages appealing for local Muslims to accept their vaccination appointments during Ramadan., external

The holy month sees many Muslims not eating or drinking during daylight hours.

Dr Ijaz Anwar, a consultant at North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust, has reassured residents that receiving a Covid vaccination during Ramadan does not conflict with fasting.

Dr Anwar said: "This is a clear ruling and I've checked with Imams and for anybody who is hesistant about the Covid vaccine because of fasting they can check with their local Imams and all will tell you it does not contravene your fasting, so please go for your jab."

Image source, North Tees NHS

Last year he said it was difficult observing Ramadan during the pandemic as the hospital was very busy: "I was covering Covid areas so had to be in full PPE and it was hard but I managed to keep my fast last year, so it's probably easier this year.

"It's the first day of fasting today and it's shorter in duration so after a couple of days to concentrate, then you get used to it."

Who is playing at the top of their game and who should leave out the dance moves? It's all in Garth Crooks' team of the week.

Steven Clark has not been seen for nearly three decades and police believe he was murdered.

Non-essential shops reopen as do hairdressers, gyms and pubs with outdoor seating.

Lee Wall must serve a minimum of 19 years behind bars for stabbing Daryl Fowler.

A pub landlord is told to remove two sides to make them Covid-19 compliant.

Local Democracy Reporting Service
Alex Metcalfe

Door-to-door vaccine jabs are being considered to reach a “couple of hundred” elderly people who haven’t received their first vaccines in Middlesbrough.

Health bosses and the council's chief executive Tony Parkinson have confirmed the idea of taking jabs to the doorsteps of older residents is being looked at.

Mr Parkinson said the council was looking to get lists from GP surgeries to contact the remaining over 80s who hadn’t been vaccinated.

Council statistics also showed there has been a lower uptake among residents with African, Pakistani and Indian heritage.

Last week the Al Mustafa Centre, on Parliament Road in Middlesbrough, and Stockton’s Farooq E Azam Mosque and Islamic Centre, on Bowesfield Lane, became vaccine clinics.

Stockton’s mayor Mohammed Javed (pictured below) had his second jab at the the Mosque last week.

Liam Murray was on remand at HMP Durham charged with killing a mother-of-six.

Bringing you the latest news from across the North East from Monday 12 April to Friday 16 April 2021.

The electric car battery plant will be the biggest industrial investment in the North East for years.