Molly Smith
BBC North East and Cumbria

Among those at Wembley is 98-year-old George Forester.

George is a familiar face at the Stadium of Light and was chairman of the Sunderland Supporters Association for 27 years.

He was also at the 1973 FA Cup final when Sunderland beat Leeds United, which George claims was the best game of his life.

Ex-Black Cats chairman Stewart Donald is looking after George and paying for the whole weekend.

Mandy Redford, George’s daughter, said: "Stewart has been incredible with my dad, I could not thank him enough for thinking about him as Sunderland is his life. This means the absolute world to him to be going to Wembley."

Sheffield United and Sunderland fans are warned about "extremely busy" trains and potential cancellations.

Martin Emmerson
BBC Radio Newcastle

Mitchell Killeen has had a County Championship debut to remember, taking 5-36 in 10 overs. And all while his dad, former Durham fast bowler Neil, was watching in the stands.

Neil served Durham for more than a decade and is now part of England's bowling set-up.

Somerset were all out in 38.4 overs for 172 and that included a final wicket partnership of 43 from Matt Henry and Migael Pretorius, who took the word agricultural to new levels.

To say they tried to 'howk' every ball into next week is not an exaggeration. Howk is a North East phrase similar to giving it some welly.

There were plenty of air shots - and a few boundaries - to brighten up an otherwise poor morning for the visitors who lost seven wickets for 99 runs.

It is cloudy and muggy in CLS. Good conditions for the bowlers. It will be interesting to see how Durham get on in their second innings. I bet Henry can't wait to get the ball in his hands.

Lab tests revealed the presence of the debilitating synthetic cannabis substitute, police confirm.

Martin Emmerson
BBC Radio Newcastle

Image source, BBC Sport

We have had a bit of rain in the North East overnight. Good for the garden and all that, but it's made for really muggy conditions in CLS.

It's humid and about 19C. I think we could see the ball swinging around as a result of that - on a track where nobody really looked particularly comfortable yesterday.

The highest score in the match so far is Ollie Robinson's 52.

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.

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.