Tyne Tees Tyneside

Police are appealing for information after a robbery in Wallsend. Police received reports that two men threatened a member of staff wit a hammer at the Nationwide building society in High Street East, on December 15. The men were wearing dark clothing and had their faces covered with scarves. They stole a cashbox from the guard.

Police are appealing for information to trace a missing 34-year-old man who left his home on Marton Road, Middlesbrough on December 12. He did not return.

Lee Patterson was planning to travel to Carlisle where he has links and police have a sighting of him on a train leaving Middlesbrough at around 7.30am on Friday. As well as Cumbria, Lee also has connections with the Tyneside and Durham areas.

Lee is white, 6’ tall and of large build. He has a fair, clean shaven complexion, blue/green eyes and short dark brown hair. Police say there will be no photograph released.

During an interview with ITV News Tyne Tees, Dec said that Byker Grove was a very special time because it was where the Geordie duo met and began their friendship and careers.

Any & Dec have been speaking to ITV News Tyne Tees about the 25th anniversary of the first episode of Byker Grove. The Geordie TV presenters said the success they have had since the hit teenage drama has been amazing.

CBeebies has tweeted a picture of the Byker Grove cast when they were younger. The show first aired 25 years ago today.

A decision is expected this morning on the latest phase of the development of South Shields' historic market square.

Councillors are recommended to approve the proposals for a new library, digital media centre and rooftop restaurant.

Tyne and Wear Fire Service has issued a warning to Newcastle residents over the ice bucket challenge, a new social media craze which has seen people jumping from the Gateshead Millennium Bridge into the River Tyne.

The Ice Bucket Challenge originally started with people dowsing themselves with ice cold water to raise money for charity, but the fire service say that the challenges have become much more dangerous.

Derrick Smith, from Tyne and Wear Fire Service, has spoken of the risks and possible side effects:

South Shields rugby star Katy Mclean has already received an MBE for services to rugby and captained the England team that won the Rugby World Cup in Paris.

Now, she has spoken of her delight in the news that Darlington will host the New Zealand team for the Rugby World Cup next year, which she thinks will be "massive" for the area:

Darlington Mowden Park Arena & Event Manager Danny Brown, who helped put together Darlington's application for the team base, has said Mowden is now the biggest rugby venue outside of Twickenham:

Read More: Darlington to host All Blacks in Rugby World Cup