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Full Report: Tyneside band's Bon Jovi hope
by Rachel SweeneyA Tyneside band are close to achieving a goal they've had since they were able to pick up instruments. Boy Jumps Ship is made up of Gav Gates, Jonny Rob, Jonathan Douglas and Si Todd. They're part of a competition to support Bon Jovi when the band goes on a stadium tour in Summer.
To vote for the band click here.
Campaigners continue fight for the Friarage Hospital
Campaigners say they'll continue to fight proposals to downgrade children's and maternity services at a North Yorkshire hospital.
Their pledge comes after the Health Secretary's decision not to order an independent investigation into the plans for The Friarage in Northallerton.
The group proposing the changes is welcoming Jeremy Hunt's decision, but patients say they feel let down.
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Weather: Tonight
A mostly dry and cold night with variable amounts of cloud, some clear spells and generally light winds, with the chance of a few mist or fog patches developing later.
Minimum temperature 2 °C.
Northumberland Show moves to new site
The Northumberland County Show is being held on Monday.
After decades at Corbridge, the show is moving a few miles down the road to a new, bigger site at Bywell.
Up to 25,000 visitors are expected at the showground.
Man jailed for 21 years for child sexual abuse
A man who sexually abused two young girls has been jailed for 21 years.
Frank Stott, 44, formerly of Tweed Avenue, Ellington, was arrested in April 2012 on suspicion of raping and sexually assaulting a girl between June 2005, when she was 12, and June 2008.
Detectives discovered Stott had also assaulted an eight-year-old girl between January 2011 and April 2012.
Two months later he was arrested and remanded in custody.
Last December, Stott admitted four offences of making indecent images of children and one of possessing an indecent image of a child.
Following a trial at Newcastle Crown Court, Stott was convicted of ten counts of rape of a child under 13 and six counts of sexual activity with a child.
He was also convicted of one count of attempted child rape, two counts of assault of a child as well as one count of causing or inciting a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity.
DC Gaynor Gould from Northumbria Police's Rape Investigation Team paid tribute to the two young victims.
She said: "This has been a very difficult time for the two victims and their families and I hope that the sentence imposed today will help them to move on positively with their lives.
"Rape is a hugely traumatic experience and I want people to know that help is always available.
"Northumbria Police places great emphasis on the need to treat victims with care and compassion throughout the whole process from investigation to conviction."
Family's plea for missing student to come home
The family of a missing Newcastle University student have renewed their appeal for him to get in touch.
Jason Fyles, 19, hasn't been seen for more than a week.
His parents Ian and Caroline and brother and sister Shaun and Kimberley said: "Please come home. There's love and hugs waiting for you.
"We miss you so much, and are desperate to see you."
Jason, 19, visited Tup Tup Palace with friends on the evening of Wednesday, May 15, before going to visit other friends in Sandyford, Newcastle.
He was last seen at an address on Helmsley Road, Sandyford, Newcastle, at 2.45am on Thursday, May 16.
Anyone with information should call police on 101.
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Weather: Latest radar 6pm
Swirling low pressure to the south - calm and clear high pressure to the north.
Fortunately it's the high pressure that will dominate this weekend - enjoy!
Professional musician brings colleagues to home town
A professional musician from Whickham is on a mission to bring classical music to new audiences.
Jonathan Bloxham started playing the cello at school and since then he's studied and performed all over the world.
Now Jonathan has invited some of the musicians he's worked with to put on special performances on his home turf.
He started the Northern Chords festival, which includes free lunchtime performances on the concourse at the Sage in Gateshead.
Review: 2012-2013 football season
The Champions League Final's on ITV1 tomorrow night.
But the football season is over for clubs in the North East.
Sports correspondent Simon O'Rourke takes one last look at the few highs and many lows of the last nine months.
Police appeal after post office robbery
Police investigating a robbery in South Tyneside believe the suspect made off in a vehicle driven by a second man.
Officers received a report at around 11.30am that a man armed with what is believed to be a firearm went into Whitburn Post Office at North Guards in Whitburn.
It's not known whether it was real or imitation at this stage.
He made off with a mobile phone, leaving staff unhurt but shaken.
It's believed the suspect got into a small black car outside the Post Office, driven by a second man, which drove off along North Guards towards Cleadon Lane.
Anyone with information should contact police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
