Luke Walton
Reporting from Blyth

At Blyth Leisure Centre, hundreds of election staff and party activists are buckling down for a long night of counting - with the final results not expected until 07:30 BST.

Northumberland County Council is the second largest in England by area and some of its ballot boxes face a long journey to get here.

In many wards, it's likely to be a three-way battle between the Conservatives, Labour and Reform UK - so recounts could also be on the cards. In 2021, there were dead-heats in two wards leading to the drawing of straws to find a winner.

The council has been led by the Tories since 2017 but Labour made a clean sweep of Northumberland parliamentary seats in last year's general election and is hoping to win back the local authority too.

However, the strength of Reform UK has been the big talking point here - and could complicate matters.

Locally, the party is seen as a big threat to both the Conservatives and Labour, having come second to Labour in two local seats in last year's general election.

The Independents and Liberal Democrats also have pockets of strength and the Green Party won its first seats here in 2021. Expect more knife-edge results as the night unfolds.

Helen Richardson
Reporting from North Shields

Here on North Tyneside we're eagerly awaiting the results of the mayoral election.

The count is expected to finish around 01:30 BST.

In an evolution of election tradition, we've been joined by this wonderful dog at the count.

Here are the key stats for Coventry City v Middlesbrough.

Martin Emmerson
BBC Radio Newcastle

It's a nice morning in West End and we are set for highs of around 24C today.

Durham didn't return home after their two-day win at Worcester on Sunday. Instead they stayed in the West Midlands and made the trip to Southampton from there.

Emilio Gay and Matty Potts return today. Potts had to miss the game at New Road - at the behest of the ECB. Gay had a stomach injury. Brendan Doggett also missed that game with an ankle issue and is back. Which means no place for loanees Jake Ball and Jack Blatherwick.

It had been rumoured Ben Raine will sit this one out - and he is. Opener Ben McKinney also misses this one.

Durham have gone with two spinners in George Drissell and Callum Parkinson, who hasn't played yet this season. They are playing on the track used for the Somerset game last weekend.

Sonny Baker missed Hampshire's draw with Somerset - also at the behest of the ECB - so he returns, as does Felix Organ.

This is match number 33 between the two, but Durham have only won twice in Southampton.

Eddie Howe says that Joelinton's injury is 'nothing serious' but he is unlikely to play again this season.

Sunderland midfielder Enzo Le Fee has issued a rallying call to supporters ahead of the Championship play-offs.

BBC Sport takes a look at the relegation, play-off and title permutations for the final day of the Championship season on Saturday.

More than 700 people sign a petition to put a Teesside hospital trust into special measures.

Andy's Man Club now has 16 groups in the North East with record attendances in Sunderland.

Inspectors raise concerns about delays, but praise areas including tackling anti-social activities.

Newcastle Falcons full-back Louis Brown was sent off against Bath for a dangerous tackle.

Middlesbrough head coach Michael Carrick remains full of belief his side can win at Coventry City and claim a Championship play-off spot.

In a week where the traditional captain options have tricky fixtures, Bryan Mbeumo makes a solid choice against a distracted Manchester United.

Both men accused of felling the tree claim they did not have the skill to do so.

Police say the money Andrew Barber stole could have been used to benefit the children in Stockton.

A planning inspector upholds concerns that residents would complain about noise from the venue.

The network's new trains are back in service after a safety issue with the doors was identified.