Mark Lawrenson takes on Noel Gallagher to make predictions for Sunday's final round of Premier League fixtures.

People aged over 16 who live in North Tyneside will be able get tested for Covid from Saturday as part of a programme to try and stop the spread of the Indian variant.

Increased testing - or surge testing as it's known - will be carried out at units in North Shields and Wallsend for residents who aren't showing symptoms, including those who've had their vaccine.

It follows a rise in cases of the so-called Indian variant.

Covid-19 cases in the borough have risen from 22 to 53 per 100,000 people in the last week and North Tyneside Council believes the 19 confirmed cases of the variant in the region will increase.

Public Health Director Wendy Burke said: "We will be offering additional testing to identify any further cases of Covid-19 and in particular the variant, so that we can support people to self-isolate and identify their contacts.

"In addition, we will also be making available better accessibility to the vaccination programme and we will be doing more work to try to get those who haven't yet accessed their first dose of vaccine to come forward."

North Tyneside Council and the NHS are also looking to create additional appointments for those eligible to get vaccinated.

Ms Burke said: "We won't be offering the vaccine to anybody who is not currently eligible so it will continue to be restricted to the people who are eligible through the national roll-out.

"What we're trying to do is identify over-50s and those in the 'at risk' category who haven't yet had a first dose."

The two mobile testing units will be open between 10:00 and 16:00 and an appointment is not needed.

One will be located at Wallsend Forum, behind the Anson pub, and the other in North Shields town centre.

Covid Indian variant: Where is it, how does it spread and is it more infectious?

Who can book their Covid vaccine now?

Alistair Magowan
BBC Sport

Newcastle boss Steve Bruce was asked again about the chances of signing Joe Willock on a permanent deal this summer after a successful loan period, which has seen the 21-year-old score six goals in six games.

Reacting to Gunners boss Mikel Arteta, who said this morning Willock would be "back with us", Bruce said: "We always said it was double-edged sword, we have to respect he is an Arsenal player, we will see over the summer if we can test their resolve."

Image source, Getty Images

Alistair Magowan
BBC Sport

Newcastle boss Steve Bruce has just done his media conference and says he is waiting on a fitness update on winger Allan Saint-Maximin and goalkeeper Martin Dubravka, who were injured against Sheffield United.

Bruce said: "We won't know until later today, Allan in particular and Martin. We expect them to be ok, but wont know 100% until they go on grass today."

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta says that in-form midfielder Joe Willock will stay at Emirates Stadium next season.

The 36-year-old is remanded in custody after appearing at Teesside Magistrates' Court.

Police and the local community have joined together to renovate the garden of a terminally-ill Seaham woman.

She had paid money to a landscape gardener but the job was not completed.

While carrying out enquiries into the alleged fraud, members of the local neighbourhood policing team began renovating it in their own time.

Image source, Seaham and Easington Police

With the help of local businesses who supplied materials and specialist services, the garden received a full makeover spanning paving, fencing and plumbing.

Image source, Seaham and Easington Police

Inspector Joanne Malkin said: “This case has really pulled at the heartstrings of the team, and we were determined to do what we could to make things better for the family, who I’m thrilled to say are delighted with the result.

“Everybody pulled together, and what we’ve achieved here reminds us of why we came into policing in the first place, and what a remarkable community it is that we serve.”

Image source, Seaham and Easington Police

Stockton Council says the Globe is the biggest live entertainment venue between Newcastle and Leeds.

The image is altered to show Jeremy Corbyn reading from a notorious anti-Semitic forgery.

Derbyshire and Durham are frustrated by rain as only 17 overs are possible on the first day of their Group One game.

An expert panel rules ex-Hartlepool MP Mike Hill would have faced sanctions if he had not quit.

Retired Roman Catholic priest John Anthony Clohosey, 72, is accused of attacking the woman in 1986.

Sutton United host Hartlepool United in a key promotion battle in the National League - listen to BBC Radio London and BBC Radio Tees commentary.

The cross, which includes a bronze sculpture of Jesus Christ, was taken from the memorial garden.

A party at Herrington Country Park included a fly past and a message from a famous friend.

Mark Lawrenson takes on Harry Potter actor and Leeds fan Matthew Lewis to make predictions for the midweek Premier League fixtures.

Father John Clohosey is accused of raping a woman in her Gateshead home 35 years ago.

Joe Willock scores for the sixth straight game as Newcastle welcome 10,000 fans back to St James' Park by beating Sheffield United.

Brennan Johnson nets as Lincoln take control after the first leg of a hectic League One play-off semi-final against Sunderland.