Merry Christmas from ITV Tyne Tees
Merry Christmas from all the team at Tyne Tees.
Hope everyone has a great day!
Live updates
Santa Spotting in North Yorkshire
With just hours before Santa sets off on his mammoth sleigh ride around the world, we have been looking back at the last minute preparations being made for the trip.
Where better to track Santa as he prepares for travelling at the speed of light than at RAF Fylingdales in North Yorkshire?
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Sprouting demand for Christmas veggies
Love them or hate them - they're an essential part of Christmas dinner.
Sprouts will be in demand this week as shoppers stock up ahead of Christmas Day.
And that means the busiest time of the year for sprout farmers as they rush to supply the vegetable for millions of Christmas dinners.
Thousands hit the shops
It's due to be another busy day at the region's shops this Christmas Eve.
On Sunday thousands queued at supermarkets across the region to be sure they were able to get those last minute items.
The busiest time is predicted to be just after 12 noon on the 24th.
Catholic Christmas Services
Church services going on in the region on Christmas Eve & Christmas Day. Have we missed your church? Email the details to pam&ian@itv.com
Read the full storyA Christmas Message from the Bishop of Durham
The Bishop of Durham, Justin Walby, has announced his Christmas message for the year.
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Thousands expected to flyaway for Christmas
Newcastle Airport has announced that it is expecting thousands of visitors to tread the waiting rooms and arrivals halls of the airport over the festive period,
Around 800,000 passengers are expected to travel to or from the airport between December 23rd and January 2nd - with some seeking warmer climes whilst others are returning home to the region.
Newcastle, in particular, also sees an increase in skiers heading for the slopes around Christmas.
– Dave Laws, Chief Executive of Newcastle International Airport"We are expecting a very busy few weeks over the Christmas period with families and friends all over the region making use of our services.
As well as people travelling elsewhere, we also have thousands of people returning home to the region for Christmas.
Our arrivals hall is full of well-wishers and people calling in to collect relatives and friends."
Turkey buyers flock to Christmas poultry sale
Age UK: 1 in 3 elderly people suffer from loneliness
A study by the charity Age UK says one in three elderly people in our region suffer from loneliness.
It is a particular problem at this time of year, with thousands expected to spend Christmas Day on their own.
The charity is urging people to volunteer their time and pay a visit to someone who needs it.
Watch Kenny Toal's reports here:
Police launch Christmas drink-drive crackdown
Cleveland and Durham Police forces are warning drivers to think twice before getting behind the wheel as they launch their annual clampdown on drink driving today.
Random spot checks will take place across the region today, with police concentrating particularly on younger drivers.
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