Public libraries have borne the brunt of council cuts but one town is bucking the national trend.

Listen to BBC radio commentary from Hartlepool United v Chesterfield in the National League.

The global food company wants to shut its Newcastle site and focus production in York and Halifax.

Sunderland defender Jordan Willis is facing up to an extra year on the sidelines after suffering a setback in his recovery from a knee injury.

England fast bowler Mark Wood is set to feature in a County Championship match for Durham for the first time since September 2018.

A man has appeared in court charged with the murder of a man in County Durham.

David Teague, 33, (pictured) suffered fatal injuries at a property in Wood View, Esh Winning, on Saturday.

Image source, Family handout

A 34-year-old man appeared at Newton Aycliffe Magistrates' Court charged with murder, false imprisonment and assault.

He was remanded into custody to appear at Newcastle Crown Court on Friday.

The traditional political rule about governments losing by-elections do not seem to count for much now.

Sunderland still have work to do to seal a League One play-off place after Blackpool win at the Stadium of Light.

David Teague suffered fatal injuries at a property in Esh Winning on Saturday.

The "brutal and frenzied" attack began in the victim's home before continuing in the street.

On-loan Sunderland defender Dion Sanderson is ruled out for the rest of the season with a back injury.

A tiny puffin has been returned to the coast after being found wandering along a country lane in Durham, miles away from the sea.

The man who found the tiny sea bird yesterday put it in a box, took it home and called the RSPCA.

Rescue officer Shane Lynn who collected it said: “It seems as though the puffin got lost and ended up landing inland, around three miles from the coast, and couldn’t then get airborne again."

Image source, RSPCA

Once he was checked over by a vet, found to be uninjured and fed, he was released back to the sea at Hartlepool's Headland.

Mr Lynn added: “He hopped down on to the sand and then flew off across the sea and into the distance.

"There really is no better feeling than returning a wild animal back into the wild where they belong.”

Puffins are a rare call-out for the RSPCA, and over the past five years the charity has cared for 14 across its four wildlife centres.

Image source, RSPCA

She has been praised for saving the jobs of thousands, honoured by the Queen and now she's been asked to name a cruise ship.

Dame Irene Hays, the owner of Hays Travel, was approached to be godmother of the new P&O cruise ship Iona, in recognition of her support for cruising and the travel industry.

She'll name the ship in a virtual ceremony next month.

An overturned tanker is causing delays at Port Clarence:

BBC Radio Tees

Ambulance chiefs said there has been a "demoralising" rise in attacks on their staff in recent weeks.

The warning by the North East Ambulance Service follows an incident in Middlesbrough at the weekend which saw a woman flag down paramedics and assault two of them.

She then kicked and slapped two police officers.

Darren Green, clinical service manager for the ambulance service, said: "Since the lockdown easing we have noticed an increase in assaults. We appreciate people are keen to get back to their normal lives, but we can't afford to see an increase in violent offences towards staff.

"At any point in time it's demoralising. All crews are tired and exhausted having supported the public over the past 12 months."

A 24-year-old woman has been arrested and released under investigation while enquiries continue into the incident in Middlesbrough.

Jacob Hopkins says he wants to help researchers find more ways to prevent the virus.

Mark Lawrenson takes on Wolf Alice bassist Theo Ellis to make predictions for this weekend's EFL Cup final and Premier League fixtures.

Three men and three women remain in custody arrested on suspicion of murder, police say.

Former England striker Alan Shearer and ex-France forward Thierry Henry become the first players to be inducted into the Premier League Hall of Fame.

The FA charges Sunderland and Oxford United players and coaches following alleged incidents during their 2 April fixture.