Martin Emmerson
BBC Radio Newcastle

We are just a few minutes away from lunch now and David Bedingham has recently joined Ben McKinney in the middle.

Bedingham, who was Division One's leading run-maker last season, got off the mark with a beautiful four through mid-wicket off Michael Booth.

He replaced Emilio Gay, who was caught behind off Booth on 41, but had been becalmed for a few overs prior to his dismissal. He did put on 78 runs with McKinney though after Durham lost opener Alex Lees for a duck in the first over.

A second man appears in court over the death of a man shot through a window of his house.

The home in Mapleton Road is now boarded up and will remain closed for the next three months.

Newcastle City Council defends strict policies and claims school attendance is improving.

Martin Emmerson
BBC Radio Newcastle

Durham have given a debut to new signing Brendan Doggett. The 30-year-old seamer normally plays for South Australia and is having his first spell in English cricket. He's here for April and May.

David Bedingham returns after he missed the opening game at Notts because he was playing cricket in South Africa. Daniel Hogg also returns after injury.

The three to miss out are George Drissell, Paul Coughlin and Graham Clark.

It's a nice day in Chester-le-Street and Durham have decided to bat.

Image source, BBC Sport

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The key stats ahead of Millwall’s clash with Middlesbrough in the Championship on Saturday afternoon.

Titles and relegations could be confirmed in the EFL on Saturday with five games remaining in the regular season.

More than 3,300 pupils in Northumberland learn how to spot signs of abuse and controlling behaviour.

The Ministry of Defence says the technology will help keep soldiers safe.

Macaulay Branighan damaged a police car as he drove a stolen Jaguar around Stockton, a court hears.

The birds were decapitated and a CCTV camera was stolen, Hartlepool police say.

Michael Carrick says "10 minutes can flip the whole picture" as his Middlesbrough side chase a Championship play-off spot.

Newcastle Eagles lose 95-82 to Romanians CSO Voluntari in the European North Basketball League final in Bratislava.

Former Sunderland defender Danny Collins says it has been difficult for Milan Aleksic to make an impact with so few opportunities afforded to him.