Stephen Beck says his trainee son, also Stephen, is a "chip off the old block".

Newcastle United and England defender Dan Burn signs a contract extension to stay at St James' Park until summer 2027.

Mr Portlock says his daughter and many other young women were moving elsewhere for rugby careers.

More than 40,000 Black Cats fans are travelling to London ahead of a crucial Premier League decider.

Matt Henry takes four wickets as Durham are bowled out for 277 and Somerset reach 63-3 in reply.

Former Sunderland striker Michael Bridges believes the play-off final will be decided by which team can cope with the pressure of Wembley.

The RSPB warns people to keep their distance during breeding season.

Local Labour MPs have welcomed government U-turn, but some call for broader policy re-think.

Ahead of the Championship play-off final between Sheffield United and Sunderland, former Black Cats striker Kevin Phillips discusses how players will handle the pressures of the game at Wembley.

Former Sunderland midfielder Julio Arca believes it is time for the club to be back in the Premier League.

Martin Emmerson
BBC Radio Newcastle

We watched Durham score their highest FC total at this ground last weekend. Today I am not sure they will reach 300.

They won the toss and decided to bat but despite a few starts, nobody has gone on to a big score. Ollie Robinson's 52 is the best so far.

The track has quite a bit of uneven bounce and a few deliveries have been shooting through to the keeper. It's difficult to know what a good score is on it.

Matt Henry has taken 4-50, with three of the wickets coming in wicket maidens in the first over of a spell.

Somerset tied up the three bowling points after 64.5 overs. Durham are seven away from a batting point.

The arson attack on three cars on a driveway in Middlesbrough was filmed by a doorbell camera.

Tino Livramento and Jarell Quansah have returned to the England Under-21 squad while Manchester United's Kobbie Mainoo is left out ahead of Euro 2025.

Martin Emmerson
BBC Radio Newcastle

Ollie Robinson has come out and played aggressively this afternoon. He reached his half century in 52 balls and hit nine fours before falling to the bowling of Matt Henry.

He was caught behind by the diving James Rew after chasing a wide one. He'd put on 56 runs with Colin Ackermann, who has 14.

Today's half century comes on the back of a century in the win against Notts last weekend and a fifty in the draw at Hampshire three weeks ago.

It's nice to see him back in the runs after a few months of struggle with the bat. But it would have been better to see him push on this afternoon.

Sunderland legend Jimmy Montgomery expects the club's current crop to join him in sealing Wembley glory.

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An annual report into deaths at South Tees Trust identifies seven that may have been preventable.

Addison Court, in Gateshead, has been taken out of special measures by the Care Quality Commission.

Martin Emmerson
BBC Radio Newcastle

Durham got off to the worst of starts when Alex Lees was bowled by the first ball of the game. He got a thick inside edge to Matt Henry and lost his off stump.

Ben McKinney and Emilio Gay then set about rescuing the situation and put on 65 before McKinney was out. He got another inside edge to a Josh Davey delivery and was caught behind on 30.

That has brought David Bedingham out to the middle, for the first time since the second week of the season, when he broke a toe playing against Warwickshire.

Pride organisers are "disappointed" after a Reform UK-led council removed a flag before an event.