The popular seafront South Tyneside Festival is cancelled for the second year running.

A tiny fawn is being cared for by wildlife volunteers after being found alone beside a road in Northumberland.

Blyth Wildlife Rescue say the fawn, which was found on Wednesday, weighs only 2lb 10oz (1.2kg) and is the smallest it has cared for.

Image source, Blyth Wildlife Rescue

A spokesperson said: "Admitting fawns is not a decision to be taken lightly and all efforts must be made to ensure that mum is no longer around, and in this case we are confident we made the right call."

The animal's condition has improved overnight and volunteers are hopeful it will make a recovery.

Image source, Blyth Wildlife Rescue

People are asked if they see a lost fawn, not to pick it up - but to contact the nearest wildlife rescue centre.

A Bill which would see the worst animal abusers facing up to five years in prison, has passed its final stage in Parliament.

After campaigning from animal welfare charities in 2017, the government pledged to reform the maximum sentence for those prosecuted under the Animal Welfare Act.

The new Bill, which goes before the Queen for Royal Assent today means courts will have the flexibility to impose tougher sentences for the worst cases.

Image source, Getty Images

It began when the former Redcar MP Anna Turley took a private members bill, external to Parliament after a high profile animal cruelty case in the town.

Thousands of people signed a petition calling for change to the legislation.

Ms Turley thinks the new law - which was revived by Conservative MP Chris Loder after Ms Turley lost her seat - will be a powerful deterrent.

"People were getting let off with a small fine or an electric tag or a slap on the wrist," she said.

"[When] you look at other things that carry sentences, like seven years in prison if you steal something from a supermarket, and the twisted, disgusting and sick nature [of animal cruelty] meant that some of these cases needed to be severely punished."

A cyclist found the contraption featuring protruding spiked posts on a woodland trail.

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.

Relive the opening day of the County Championship as Warwickshire are bowled out for 87 at Durham and Hampshire only make 92 at Surrey.

Jackie Weaver put them in the international spotlight, but what do parish councils actually do?

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 royal couple discuss climate change and farmers' mental health during a trip to County Durham.

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.