Latest updates from North East England Live

The pursuit of happiness? The race to reach the EFLpublished at 12:36 Greenwich Mean Time 21 March

As we celebrate Non-League Day this weekend, BBC Sport takes a look at the main contenders vying for a place in the EFL.

'Since he's been back, Cirkin hasn't been 100%'published at 12:17 Greenwich Mean Time 21 March

BBC Radio Newcastle's Nick Barnes believes Sunderland left-back Dennis Cirkin's wrist injury has had a lasting effect on his performances.

Drug mule caught with £18,000 haul at airportpublished at 11:57 Greenwich Mean Time 21 March

Ahmed Hirsi got the attention of customs officers due to the large number of bags he had.

Man 'ruined' children's lives with sex assaultspublished at 11:35 Greenwich Mean Time 21 March

Michael Moran, 74, admitted sexually assaulting the children as they "innocently" played outside.

'England involvement good for Rigg' - Gabbiadinipublished at 11:33 Greenwich Mean Time 21 March

Former Sunderland striker Marco Gabbiadini on why Chris Rigg being away on international duty, rather than resting, is a positive.

Men who raped woman after party jailedpublished at 10:44 Greenwich Mean Time 21 March

Police say Andy Nzita Iwela and Muketar Ahmed are a "danger to women" after the "horrendous" attack.

Site of derelict swimming pool may be redeveloped published at 07:34 Greenwich Mean Time 21 March

An outdoor gym and play area are among possible plans for the site which closed as a pool in 2008.

Estimated 945,000 tonnes of sewage pumped into seapublished at 07:32 Greenwich Mean Time 21 March

The water firm says its own estimate of discharge to the North Sea at Whitburn cannot be relied on.

Why was a white balloon flying across the UK?published at 05:26 Greenwich Mean Time 21 March

Onlookers spot a mysterious hot air balloon travelling across skies and question where it is going.

More ticket gates on Metro to cut fare dodging published at 16:03 Greenwich Mean Time 20 March

Nexus say Regent Centre will have gates by the end of the year and other stations may follow.

Wins are only way to ease Pools problems - Limbrickpublished at 15:48 Greenwich Mean Time 20 March

Hartlepool United head coach Anthony Limbrick says that wins are the only way players can help fans through club's difficult period.

Sunderland fan buses to carry bleed kits to gamespublished at 15:18 Greenwich Mean Time 20 March

SAFC supporters' branches say 12 coaches will have with kits designed to stop catastrophic bleeding.

Defender Cirkin out of England Under-21 gamespublished at 13:53 Greenwich Mean Time 20 March

Sunderland defender Dennis Cirkin is forced to withdraw from the England Under-21 squad because of a hamstring injury.

Dangerous rapist who attacked girl jailedpublished at 11:44 Greenwich Mean Time 20 March

A judge praises a hospital nurse who raised concerns about the victim after Robert Green raped her.

Police issue plea for lost ADHD medicationpublished at 10:39 Greenwich Mean Time 20 March

Officers say methylphenidate could be harmful if taken by someone for whom it has not been prescribed.

Flooded road reopens ahead of 'permanent' repairpublished at 06:20 Greenwich Mean Time 20 March

A permanent road repair is set to be carried out, Durham Council says.

Neighbours devastated after girl, 4, dies in firepublished at 17:31 Greenwich Mean Time 19 March

A woman in her 20s and a two-year-old girl are in hospital in a stable condition.

Abuser who 'tortured' partner for years jailedpublished at 15:49 Greenwich Mean Time 19 March

Colin Williams regularly beat his partner, controlled her money and strangled her, a court hears.

Salvation Army and football club burglar jailedpublished at 15:25 Greenwich Mean Time 19 March

Craig Foster admits five counts of burglary, including one raid on the house of a family on holiday.

Taxis targeted in safety check operationpublished at 15:00 Greenwich Mean Time 19 March

The safety checks follow a similar operation in Durham and Darlington in December last year.

Live Reporting