Mayor Andy Preston says buying the Cleveland Centre will help secure the town centre's future.

Pek Ying Ling was found dead at hotel, ahead of meeting up with her sons for a family holiday.

Local Democracy Reporting Service

A business case to build a £67m indoor arena in Redcar has been submitted to the council, it has confirmed.

The plan is to build a 5,000-capacity building on the site of the former Redcar Bowl and it is hoped it could be ready to open in 2024.

Those behind the plan - a consortium of property developers and business people - want assurances the council is prepared to lease the land and grant planning permission.

Once they have that, detailed plans for the Coatham Arena will be drawn up

A spokesperson for Redcar and Cleveland council said: "Our team of experienced officers will now take time to fully consider the plans before advising Coatham Arena Ltd further.

"The authority has previously paused other plans for the area to give due consideration to the proposed plans for an indoor arena delivered by the private sector."

Coatham Arena Ltd say the proposed venue would host an "all-year programme of elite entertainment, sporting, conference, exhibition and social events", and attract thousands of visitors.

Supporters of the plan include Sting and Saltburn-born David Coverdale, of rock band Whitesnake, who once lived in Redcar.

Autumn Bradley, 15, was not eligible for NHS funding for surgery to correct sunken chest syndrome.

The Premier League says positive Covid tests have fallen for the second successive week.

Hartlepool sign defender Jake Hull on loan from Rotherham and Southport striker Marcus Carver on a permanent deal.

Tom Rodwell is jailed for a minimum of 12 years over multiple offences against women he met.

A miniature stable found at a model village is due to be sold amid security fears.

Image source, Getty Images

People in the area covered by Northumbria Police are being asked if they would be happy to pay up to £10 more a year in council tax to help fund police services.

All police forces have been given permission to raise the precept - the police part of the local council tax bill - by a maximum of £10 for an average (Band D) household, which equates to 83p a month in the county.

Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner Kim McGuinness says people have three options:

1. To pay nothing - which would be the equivalent of a cut to the police budget
2. A £5 a year increase - which would allow the force to meet some rising costs
3. A £10 a year increase - paying for more call handlers and investigators, and better technology.

“I’m more than aware that household budgets are tight, really I am," Ms McGuinness said. "But I am also aware of the position our cash-strapped police forces find themselves in following year after year of cuts."

Since 2010, Northumbria Police has lost more than 1,100 officers and £140m in budget cuts.

A driver was taken to hospital with serious injuries after a three-vehicle collision on the A1 in County Durham, which led to a northbound stretch of the road being closed.

Durham Police said the collision happened at junction 62 of the carriageway at about 07:20

The A1 northbound has been closed between Durham and Chester-le-Street while investigations are carried out.

Motorists have been warned of delays in the area.

Middlesbrough now has England's highest rate of Covid infections, with staff absences also rising.

The founder of the Great North Run says he's "delighted" the course will return to its city-to-sea course, with the finishing line in South Shields.

The ballot for places in the half-marathon opens on Monday and it will be three years in September since the race finished by the sea because of the coronavirus pandemic.

It was cancelled in 2020 and last year it started and ended in Newcastle, which saw runners cross the Tyne Bridge twice and make their way through Newcastle city centre before finishing in the Great North Road.

Image source, PA Media

Founder Sir Brendan Foster said: "We're hoping for and expecting a very warm South Tyneside welcome this year.

"Last year medics wouldn't allow us to have a finish and start in different places as we had to keep people separated, so we couldn't get them on the Metro and keep safely distanced - but this year we're hoping for a more back-to-normal year."

Names entered into the ballot will be chosen for a place at random in February.

Image source, Getty Images

The minister insists there is cash to spend after warnings that voters need to see progress.

A couple who had to spend Christmas in a hotel after the roof of their home was ripped off by Storm Arwen six weeks ago say they still don’t know when they will able to go back.

Sheila Johnson, husband Bob and their dog Chico are not even allowed into the house in Blackhall Colliery, County Durham, after builders found asbestos in the damaged ceiling.

The couple fear it could be months before they can return home.

“The tests came back the other day and it has definitely got asbestos in it," Ms Johnson told BBC Radio Tees.

"With the roof coming through, it is dangerous for us because we could be breathing in the asbestos, so we can’t go in the house at all now.”

Ms Johnson thanked all the people who helped them but said the couple's health was now being affected.

“We have got no cooking facilities, you are only in one room, it is not nice at all," she added.

"I mean, it is a lovely hotel, but it is not home at the end of the day.”

Bringing you the latest news from across the North East from Monday 10 January to Friday 14 January 2022