St Mary's Lighthouse up for rent
North Tyneside Council is offering a lease to those prepared to invest in the landmark - and the more creative the idea, the better.
Campaign to reduce the spread of the "vomiting virus"
Patients and staff in hospitals across Northumberland and North Tyneside are being taught how to prevent the spread of the winter virus
Care home campaign to reduce spread of Norovirus
Community health workers will visit more than 150 nursing and residential homes to educate people about preventing winter bugs.
Live updates
Polls close in North Tyneside mayoral election
Polls have now closed in the North Tyneside mayoral election. Counting of ballot papers are now underway.
Robber handed over note threatening to shoot
Police have released a picture of a note handed to staff at a building society during a robbery, threatening to shoot.
It says: "Keep calm or I'll use my gun on you. Keep both arms visible. Don't panic. 1 hand grab the money on cash drawer and pass to me. Very easy. Don't push alarm or will shoot you."
The man left the Nationwide in Wallsend with some cash. Police said it caused great distress to staff although no one was injured.
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Northumbria Police investigating disabled parking bay claims
A police officer could face disciplinary action after being photographed apparently parking in a disabled bay before using a cash machine in North Tyneside.
According to reports, the officer was in uniform and was on duty when he stopped at Battle Hill shopping centre, Wallsend, last Wednesday.
An angry member of the public took a photo of the marked Northumbria Police Volvo parked in a space reserved for disabled badge holders.
– Member of the public, speaking to the Chronicle"They were only there for five minutes but if I did this, they probably would have given me a ticket.
"Neither of them looked disabled to me and I just think it's a disgrace that they can flout the law in that way."
Northumbria Police have begun an investigation.
– Chief Inspector Sarah Pitt"Inquiries are ongoing into the circumstances in which this patrol car was parked on this occasion.
"Police officers are not exempt from parking regulations, however, there are occasions when it's necessary for operational reasons, such as stopping offenders or assisting victims, to park in otherwise restricted areas.
"All staff are told that they must not park either illegally or inconsiderately and that contravening such regulations may lead to disciplinary action being taken against them."
Appeal after man assaulted in Whitley Bay
Police are appealing for witnesses after a man was assaulted in North Tyneside and had to be taken to hospital for treatment for facial injuries.
Today, a man aged in his mid 30s reported to police that he had been assaulted in VI bar, and again later in South Parade in Whitley Bay, between 10pm and 10.30pm on Saturday 20 April.
Officers are keen to speak to anyone who was in VI bar or in South Parade and who saw what happened to contact them. It is believed that the assault was an unprovoked attack.
Any witnesses are being asked to contact Northumbria Police on 101 ext 69191 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Prized NUFC shirt stolen from children's hospital ward
Children and staff at North Tyneside General Hospital have been left heartbroken after callous thieves stole a treasured signed Newcastle United shirt from their ward.
The 2002 shirt, signed by Alan Shearer, the late Bobby Robson and other members of the team, was taken from its frame from the play room in the Children’s Ward.
The theft is believed to have taken place sometime between Monday 15 April and Wednesday 17 April.
Newcastle United has a long-standing relationship with the ward, run by Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust.
In 2002, Alan Shearer opened the refurbished ward and players regularly come to the hospital at Christmas to give presents to the young patients.
– A Newcastle United spokesman“Newcastle United were very disappointed to hear the news that a signed shirt has been stolen from the Children’s Ward at North Tyneside hospital and would appeal for its return at the earliest opportunity.
“We’re told the children love looking at the shirt and often try to identify the names of the players, such as Alan Shearer and Shay Given, so it’s really a very callous act by whoever was responsible for this thoughtless and mindless theft.”
– Carole Clayton, ward manager“We just can’t believe that someone would stoop so low. The staff and children are heartbroken and really angry and upset.
“We were so pleased that the shirt was donated to the ward and it has given pleasure to the thousands of families who have used the ward over the last 11 years - for someone to take this just beggars belief.
“We hope that someone somewhere has information about the shirt as we would really like it to be returned."
– PC Andy Wait"This shirt was very popular with the children on the ward and we are appealing for the public's help to identify the heartless thief who stole it.
"We are asking anyone who saw anything suspicious at around that time, or who is offered the shirt for sale, to contact police on 101 ext 69191, or ring the independent charity Crime stoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111."
Metal theft leaves hundreds of homes without power
Police are appealing for information after a metal theft in North Tyneside that left hundreds of homes without power.
Between 10:30pm and 11:30pm on Monday15 April, thieves broke into an electricity sub station in Staithes Avenue in Longbenton, and stole metal cable from inside.
The theft caused a number of homes in Staithes Avenue, Goathland Avenue, Yewburn Way, Lythe Way, Whitbay Crescent and Elmsford Groves to then lose power.
The damage also caused a power surge in the area and a number of people had electrical items like game consoles, white goods and boilers damaged.
Anyone with information about the theft, or who may have witnessed any suspicious behaviour around sites such as power stations, can speak to police by calling 101.
"We think the theft happened between 10:30pm and 11:30pm on Monday evening and one witness reported seeing two men in Goathland Avenue around midnight pushing a trolley and carrying something. I'd urge anyone who might have seen anything suspicious to contact us with information.
"The electrical engineers who attended told officers that whoever broke in and stole the metal were millimetres from getting themselves electrocuted and possibly even killed. The power surge it caused could have easily caused a number of house fires.
– Detective Inspector Neil Brotherton"Those who commit this type of crime are putting their lives, and the lives of others, at risk."
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Disability sports funding awarded to Tyneside council
Disabled people will get the chance to take part in a variety of sports after funding was awarded to North Tyneside Council.
A three-year programme will be run allowing people with disabilities to take part in sports including archery, athletics, cycling, sailing, swimming and trampolining.
The project will go ahead after the council secured money from Sport England's Inclusive Sport Fund, which aims to increase the number of disabled people who are participating in sport.
Anyone with an interest in disability sport is invited to attend a free launch event on April 18 between 1pm and 4pm at The Parks Leisure Centre in North Shields.
Activities will be on offer at the event and the Sport North Tyneside team will be on hand to offer advice and support.
Candidates announced for North Tyneside mayoral election on May 2nd
The full list of nominations has been announced for the May 2nd mayoral elections in North Tyneside.
Conservative Linda Arkley is attempting to secure the post she has held twice before.
Her challengers are Labour borough councillor Norma Redfearn, and Liberal Democrat John Appleby.
North Tyneside full list -
John Appleby (Liberal Democrat)
Linda Arkley (Conservative)
Norma Redfearn (Labour)
Double-decker bus crashes into railway bridge
A double-decker bus has had its roof ripped off after crashing into a railway bridge in Newcastle.
The Go North East bus collided with the Percy Main Metro bridge on Station Road, North Tyneside, just moments after the last train had crossed on Thursday night.
The out-of-service bus was making it's way back to the depot and was not taking its usual route.
The driver was not injured and there were no passengers on board.
A Metro spokesman confirmed there was no damage or disruption to the Metro system.
Police appeal after air weapons stolen from a car
Police are investigating after air weapons were stolen from a car in North Tyneside.
On Friday morning police received a report that a car parked off Lynn Road in North Shields had been broken into and a number of air weapons stolen from the boot. A sat nav was also stolen from the glove box.
It is understood four air rifles, 22 air pistols and one bright orange blank firing pistol were stolen, along with some hunting knives. All are legally held by the owner. Police are carrying out extensive enquiries to trace the air weapons and the people responsible for the theft.
– Det Insp Neil Brotherton, Northumbria PoliceWe are keen to hear from anyone who witnessed the theft or saw anything suspicious in the area as soon as possible.
In particular, anyone who knows the whereabouts of the large number of stolen air weapons should get in touch.
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