Match of the Day's Theo Walcott praises Sunderland captain Granit Xhaka's passion and leadership, hailing his headed assist against Aston Villa as "the best assist you will see all year".

Matty Cash scores Aston Villa's first goal of the season before Wilson Isidor equalises to give 10-men Sunderland a crucial point at the Stadium of Light.

Sunderland boss Regis le Bris says that his players deserve credit for stepping up after Reinildo's early red card in their draw with Aston Villa.

Mavis was seen leaving her home on Tuesday and planned to go to Darlington town centre, police say.

Initial plans propose a 30-acre expansion to Stranton Cemetery and Crematorium.

A rare bat crashes into a car after a 1,000 mile trip and controversial plans for bus lane scrapped.

The arena was proposed for land on the site of the former Coatham Bowl entertainment venue in Redcar.

A library has been refurbished, seals born in an estuary have died and a GP has been struck off.

Councils in the North East join a census of homeless women amid pleas for safe female-only hostels.

Durham County Council is cutting the centres' repair budget but says urgent fixes will be made.

Plans for a new service station are green lit despite objections from more than 80 residents.

Plans are unveiled to replace Thornhill Academy in Sunderland with modern building and facilities.

Police seize an uninsured Porsche at HMP Frankland and give the driver directions to a bus station.