National park bosses warn "critical services" will be lost if funding cuts are not reversed.

James Minto, Alex Lees and Emilio Gay star with the bat as Durham fight back on day two of their County Championship clash with Nottinghamshire.

You have been sharing your sunny photos of the North East and Cumbria this springtime.

British basketball's two most successful clubs, Leicester Riders and Newcastle Eagles, meet in the Super League Basketball final on Sunday.

The woman, 41, was approached by a man in Hartlepool on Friday afternoon and attacked, police say.

Plans are approved despite concerns from residents about overdevelopment of the area.

Martin Emmerson
BBC Radio Newcastle

The umpires changed the ball after 60.3 overs, with Durham 204-2. I have lost count how many times a change of ball brings a wicket. Is it some kind of magic? I don't know, but I always menton it on air.

And two overs later things happened. Emilio Gay should have been out when he edged Lyndon James to Joe Clarke at first slip. He was on 30 but Clarke put the chance down.

Two balls later though spinner Liam Patterson-White found the edge of Alex Lees' bat and the Durham opener was caught behind on 82 to leave Durham 208-3.

They could have done with him hanging around for longer and the timing couldn't have been worse, just an over before tea.

Martin Emmerson
BBC Radio Newcastle

Image source, BBC Sport

Spectators at The Riverside received an unexpected treat when the England Test skipper Ben Stokes came out to go through his paces during the lunch interval.

I have to say in all the years I have known him I don't think I have seen him as svelt as he looked today.

He's spent the last five months recovering from a hamstring injury which he picked up during the tour of New Zealand in the winter. It followed a similar injury in a Hundred game last summer.

Stokes did plenty of shuttle running in front of the media centre, before heading back into the dressing room. He's set to make his return in the Test against Zimbabwe next Thursday.

Martin Emmerson
BBC Radio Newcastle

I think James Minto has become the youngest player to score a first-class half-century for Durham.

At 17 years and 172 days he beats Nicky Peng, who scored 98 on debut against Surrey in 2000, aged 17 and 226 days. I can't think of anyone else younger, but I may be wrong.

He's played some lovely shots. The 50 included 61 balls and eight fours. And a blow to the head.

It's been a great start for Durham. Minto opened as a nightwatchman last night!

Martin Emmerson
BBC Radio Newcastle

Left arm seamer James Minto signed his first rookie contract this week. The 17-year-old is the latest bowler to come through the Durham Academy.

But it's his batting which has been causing a stir this morning. He came in as a nightwatchman last night and faced all six deliveries remaining in the day.

This morning he's hit some beautiful cover drives to the boundary and is now on a career-best 33.

He opens the batting for Norton Cricket Club in the North Yorkshire South Durham League and when he came to Durham's attention as a 14-year-old it was because of his batting.

From what we have seen today I would suggest we now refer to him as an all-rounder. He's hit six boundaries so far.

Sunderland Mind estimates the damage to its building in the city will cost more than £5,000.

Redcar's 100-year-old boating lake remains empty despite repairs and an attempt to refill it.

Hartlepool's Jack Collinson, 13, is one of 52 drivers taking part in the FIA Karting Academy Trophy.

Rower Lauren Irwin, from Peterlee, is awarded County Durham’s Chairman’s Medal.

Up to 40 children attend each session, with hopes of extending the project across the region.

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People in Benwell have "some closure" after a drug dealer is jailed for the fatal explosion.

The Chairman's Medal is the highest accolade Durham County Council grants for community work.