The government says the plan will provide about £200m in social benefits to the region.

The Grade II listed statue of Robert Stephenson will be unveiled at the Locomotion museum next week.

Officers conduct a joint investigation into forced labour concerns in Billingham and Middlesbrough.

Nottinghamshire close day two of their County Championship match against Durham 81 runs behind with five wickets in hand.

Head coach Regis Le Bris praises Trai Hume after the defender scored Sunderland's winner for the second successive game.

Stagecoach says it will cut some of its services on Tyneside and Wearside from 11 May.

Councillor Kevin Johnston says the pier should reopen in the summer, "weather permitting".

Martin Emmerson
BBC Radio Newcastle

Freddie McCann is playing in his seventh first-class match.

He made his debut against Durham last season and has now notched his second 50 against them.

This one came in 93 balls and included seven fours.

He has two centuries to his name, as well and looks the part. Could be a big future in the game for him. He's already played for England Lions, too.

Martin Emmerson
BBC Radio Newcastle

Ben Slater enjoys playing Durham. His highest score in FC cricket is 225* in a win in Chester-le-Street in 2022.

He now has eight half-centuries against them as well, following his 50 today which included 10 fours.

Durham thought they had him caught behind on 35 but umpire Graeme Lloyd said he wasn't out. Bowler Matthew Potts was celebrating with his colleagues at the time.

On a good batting track, is this going to be another occasion where Slater cashes in against Durham?

He's just hit three boundaries in one over off George Drissell.

Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy says the development could boost the North East economy for "decades".

Telling Tales sees people join historians to share memories of sites along the Tyne Derwent Way.

Martin Emmerson
BBC Radio Newcastle

Haseeb Hameed and Ben Slater have given Notts a good start here as they have moved to a 50 partnership inside 17 overs.

There's been little in the way of nervous moments so far either and it looks like it is a good batting track.

It is going to be a late finish after issues with the sprinklers delayed the start by 45 minutes this morning.

I called it Sprinklergate. A listener called in Watergate, but I don't think that's likely to catch on!

About 1,000 tonnes of hazardous and non-hazardous materials are taken away as part of the scheme.

BBC Radio Five Live reporter Adam Cottier gives his assessment on Middlesbrough's return to form following their 2-0 victory at Blackburn Rovers.

Martin Emmerson
BBC Radio Newcastle

It's another lovely, sunny morning on the banks of The Trent, but it does feel a bit cooler compared to yesterday. We have a northerly breeze as well.

Paul Coughlin and Matthew Potts are the last pair in for Durham and as we head into day two they need another 30 runs to reach a fourth batting point, which would be nice from the visitor's point of view.

Both batsmen boast centuries in the County Championship so it could quite easily happen. If not they already appear to have a decent total, given the fact they were put in yesterday morning, but there is an extremely short boundary on the Bridgford Road side of the ground, which only measures 49 yards at one point.

Chief visitor officer Andrew Usher says the move will "encourage pilgrimage from a broad spectrum".

Lyricist Sir Tim Rice brings his latest tour to Sunderland, home of the football team he loves.

It is hoped enough volunteers will be secured to help run a daily service to welcome visitors.

Colin Ackermann posts the first century of the County Championship season as Durham recover to 370-9 against Nottinghamshire.

Keepers in Cumbria, County Durham, Northumberland and Tyneside must keep their birds inside.