Martin Emmerson
BBC Radio Newcastle

They're playing on a green top here, but despite Durham putting Notts in, there was little doing for the bowlers in the first hour or so.

Haseeb Hameed and Ben Slater put on an opening stand of 104 before a wicket fell, as Slater edged 17-year-old James Minto to the keeper on 52.

It's Minto's third championship match and comes in the week the Norton Cricket Club player signed a two-year rookie contract. The left-armer has got the ball to seam around and has looked sharp.

As for Slater, it was the 58th time he'd passed 50 in FC cricket and the ninth against Durham. Hameed has 48.

The blaze, in Wark forest, Northumberland, began on Tuesday afternoon and lasted for two days.

Martin Emmerson
BBC Radio Newcastle

The South African batsman David Bedingham was named in the squad for this one and looked set for a return, having suffered a fractured toe in April. But he isn't playing, I gather at the request of Cricket South Africa.

They are planning ahead for the World Test Championship against Australia next month. Interestingly South African keeper Kyle Verreynne is playing for Notts though.

Sam Conners was also listed in the Durham squad for the first time but doesn't feature. Matty Potts is with England, along with Notts' Josh Tongue, while Australian bowler Brendan Doggett's short spell has come to an end.

In comes 17-year-old bowler James Minto. He signed a new two-year rookie contract this week and is playing in his third championship game.

It is a nice sunny day in the North East but breezy with it.

The workers restoring the Tyne Bridge include two generations following in grandad's footsteps.

The singer-songwriter from North Shields is dubbed "a proper 21st century Geordie icon".

Police say their investigation continues into the death of the girl found injured on Easter Monday.

Ex-striker Marcus Steward leaves his role at Yeovil Town FC after being diagnosed with MND in 2022.

Brydon Carse is included in Durham's squad to play Nottinghamshire as he targets England's Test series with India next month.

The move by Newcastle City Council follows similar schemes by other authorities including Durham.

Callers ask the Tees Valley Mayor about his involvement in the site in a BBC interview.

Consultant director of rugby Steve Diamond describes morale as "remarkably high" at Newcastle Falcons for an "unremarkable season".

Simon Vickers is serving a minimum of 15 years for stabbing his 14-year-old daughter to death.

Sheffield United and Sunderland fans have discovered the time the Championship play-off final on 24 May will kick-off.

Almost 20,000 trees and shrubs are planted in efforts to improve woodland in the North Pennines.

Newcastle United defender Jamaal Lascelles said it was a "huge relief" to recover from his knee injury.