Gordon Cranney, who admitted assaulting a woman, will continue on the council as an independent.

Solar panels were stolen from Gateshead International Stadium on Wednesday evening, police say.

Martin Emmerson
BBC Radio Newcastle

Sean Dickson is the leading run-maker in the country and last week he became the first Durham player to score centuries in three consecutive innings.

He followed his 186 at Sussex with 104 and 105 against Worcestershire. But today, on a green wicket in Chester-le-Street, he was out for just five, edging Australian Michael Neser to Sam Northeast in the slips.

Durham are still looking for their first win after four draws and a defeat. They are 48-1 with Alex Lees on 29 and Keegan Petersen on 14.

The sun is out but there is a cool westerly breeze. And despite the colour of the track there's not been too much drama so far.

The injured man sustained injuries to his neck and back at St Nicholas Hospital, Gosforth.

A second platform at Hartlepool will be reinstated, with a new lift and footbridge installed.

Families watched on as blood-soaked wrestlers attacked each other with a strimmer and glass tubes.

Investigators say the train was being driven at 50mph (80km/h) above the speed limit.

Two men have been arrested on suspicion of drugs offences after police in Hartlepool discovered more than 100 cannabis plants.

Officers carried out a warrant at a business in Stockton Road on Tuesday and recovered a crop with a street value of £96,600.

A hammer and an axe were also seized.

Image source, Cleveland Police

Two men aged 30 and 49 have been released while investigations by Cleveland Police continue.

Ch Insp Mark Haworth said: “We will act on information given to us in order to tackle those operating among our communities who are believed to be involved in serious and organised crime."

Relive the opening day of the County Championship as Lancashire dominate Yorkshire in the Roses match.

Durham’s Police and Crime Commissioner says the force will investigate whether Sir Keir Starmer broke lockdown rules “without fear or favour”.

Labour Party member Joy Allen, who was elected to the role last year, is not in charge of operational matters at the force but said it was her role "to represent all the people in their area impartially, without fear or favour".

She said the force's previous investigation into Dominic Cummings meant it was "not new" for officers to investigate high-profile alleged Covid breaches.

She added the investigation into whether Covid rules were breached in a visit to Durham by the Labour leader in April 2021 was "just another area" of everyday police work.

Durham Police's chief constable says the force will not put a timescale on its investigation into whether Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer broke lockdown rules.

While it has been reported the investigation could take two months, Jo Farrell said she could not put a timetable on it “at this stage”.

Image source, PA Media

The chief constable says the force will decide how many officers are allocated to the investigation, as they looked at the "extent and scale of it”.

She was speaking publicly for the first time since the force announced on Friday it was reopening its investigation into whether the party leader breached Covid rules at a gathering in the city on 30 April 2021.

Attempts to contact the driver whose BMW was left outlined in asphalt have so far proved fruitless.

Watch the biggest upsets from this season's FA Cup, with Manchester United, Newcastle United and Leicester City losing to lower-league opposition.

Watch the best shocks, celebrations and funny moments from this season's FA Cup.

Watch the best goal from each round of this season's FA Cup, including strikes from Liverpool's Sadio Mane and Manchester City's Phil Foden.