Chris Rushworth becomes Durham's all-time leading first-class wicket-taker as Worcestershire are beaten by 258 runs.

Staff were left "extremely shaken" and told police the syringe contained blood or acid.

Newcastle Falcons host Northampton Saints and Bristol Bears entertain Gloucester Rugby in the Premiership - listen to BBC radio commentary.

Relive day four of the County Championship with wins for Essex and Durham and a club wickets record for Chris Rushworth.

Jack Burnham and Will Young hit tons and Ned Eckersley smashes 86 as Durham set Worcestershire a daunting 423 to win.

Hartlepool United keep up their promotion push with a 3-1 win at Aldershot to move third in the National League.

The 18th Century life-size clockwork model needs to undergo "complex" conservation repairs.

Manchester City twice come from behind to win a Premier League classic against Newcastle in their first game since being confirmed as champions.

Newcastle boss Steve Bruce says his team played well in attack but were let down by poor defending, after losing 4-3 at home to Premier League champions Manchester City.

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola says he could use Ferran Torres as a striker in the future, after the winger scored a hat-trick in a 4-3 win at Newcastle.

Relive day three of six County Championship matches, including victory for Hampshire against Middlesex.

Chris Rushworth takes 5-56 to help earn Durham a first-innings lead against Worcestershire at Chester-le-Street.

Gateshead's public health director says people should be extra vigilant in the face of new variants of Covid-19.

In recent days, cases of the so-called Indian variant have been discovered in Newcastle and North Tyneside.

A total of 19 cases have been detected across north-east England, three were said to be travel-related but no further information has been provided on where the cases are.

Alice Wiseman (pictured) says the problem is being closely monitored and the public need to be cautious in the days ahead.

"We're working together across local authorities to make sure we have that broader understanding of where those cases are because we know that our communities live, work and go to school in many different areas, so it's important we work collectively on that," she said.

"Whilst the numbers aren't high at the moment we have seen other parts of the country where cases have risen rapidly so we are watching them."

The finishing touches are being carried out at museums across the North East as they prepare for re-opening next week.

The venues, which would normally attract hundreds of thousands of visitors a year, have been closed for months due to Covid-19 restrictions.

The Discovery Museum in Newcastle has been carrying out final checks before it welcomes people back on Monday.

Facilities manager Nick Butterley said: "We can't wait, there's something very sad about seeing the place empty.

"We know how much people enjoy it and how much families enjoy the museum and it won't be quite the same as there's not all the things out that people expect.

"But I think people understand that we have to keep some exhibits tucked away for now."

A tribunal hears Mike Hill told the woman he loved her, despite being married at the time.

The brawl ended up in the grounds of a Middlesbrough school, which went into lockdown.

Police say the theft of the cross from the remembrance garden left the congregation devastated.

A cat found dumped in a toy box outside a garage in Hartlepool is waiting to be rehomed by the RSPCA.

The black and white tomcat was discovered soaking wet and crying loudly by parents and staff from a nearby dance studio outside Stranton garage in Waldon Street on Saturday.

Inspector Clare Wilson said: "It appears whoever owned him decided they didn’t want him anymore so put him in a toy box which was dumped in the street."

Image source, RSPCA

The cat - who has been named Billy Elliot because of the nearby dance studio - was in good health but had not been micro-chipped so his owner cannot be traced.

“It is lucky that he was found by kind people before anything happened to him. It has been very cold and wet in the last few days and he was very distressed," Ms Wilson added.

Billy is being looked after by the RSPCA in Great Ayton until a new owner can be found for him.

Image source, RSPCA

Durham's public health boss is advising people to take it "one step at a time" as lockdown restrictions are further eased next week.

From Monday, people will be able to hug and socialise indoors, more businesses - such as cinemas, theatres and bingo halls - can reopen and pubs and restaurants can serve customers indoors.

County Durham's director of public health Amanda Healy said: "There'll always be variants and we do just need to be cautious, that's why we'll be encouraging people to test regularly and the really important thing is for people to take up the vaccine.

"But also have some enjoyment - venues have worked incredibly hard, whether it's a gym, cinema or restaurant to welcome people back in as safe a way as possible."

Image source, Getty Images

Newcastle United boss Steve Bruce is named as the Premier League manager of the month for April, while Jesse Lingard wins the player of the month award.