Funeral appeal for Tyneside war hero
John Campbell fought in Burma 70 years ago. When he died, no-one could find his family. The British Legion is giving him a proper send off.
Newcastle set to become 'super-connected'
Newcastle City Council have launched plans to become one of the UK's first 'super-connected' cities.
Jesterval comedy festival: what's on guide
Comedians from Patrick Monahan to Ed Byrne will be performing on Tyneside at a new comedy festival called Jesterval.
Live updates
Crash arrest: girl, aged four, remains critically ill
A man aged 34 has been arrested on suspicion of causing serious injury by dangerous driving, following a five vehicle crash in South Shields.
He is currently helping police with enquiries.
The crash happened at around 6.30pm on Tuesday March 4, on the westbound carriageway of Leam Lane, near to the Lindisfarne roundabout.
A four year old girl injured in the collision remains in a critical condition.
Police are keen to speak to any motorists who were in the area and who may have seen what happened.
Historic lifeboat scrubbed up for new future
A ceremony has been held to mark the official unveiling of an historic lifeboat which has been lovingly restored.
The Tyne lifeboat, which was based in South Shields, was built nearly 200 years ago.
it helped to save more than 1,000 lives at sea during 60 years of service.
It was first placed on display on the town sea-front in 1894 but now has been fully renovated as a reminder of the bravery of the the men who risked their lives at sea to save others.
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Blessing for 181 year old lifeboat
The recently refurbished Tyne Lifeboat will be blessed on Friday morning.
The vessel is the world's second oldest lifeboat.
The ceremony will take place in South Shields with special guests from the North East's maritime and lifesaving community at 1130am.
The Grade II Listed boat, which was built in 1833, served the town for more than 60 years and saved 1,028 lives.
It was placed on public display at South Shields seafront in 1894 as a permanent reminder of the skill and bravery of the men of the Tyne Lifeboat Institution.
Gateshead budget cuts approved
Gateshead Council has voted to approve cuts of over £15m to its budget for the coming year.
A further £28m will be cut the following year.
More than 150 jobs will go.
Funding to the Sage Gateshead, Baltic and the Shipley Art Gallery will also be cut, but the Council Tax will be frozen for the fourth year running.
Council leader, Cllr Mick Henry, said: "We have faced some difficult choices, but the priority is to boost the local economy for the long term."
Baseball bat attack at Sainsbury's
A security guard has been treated in hospital for a broken arm after being attacked with a baseball bat by robbers.
The guard was collecting cash when he was confronted at the Sainsbury's Local store, Chapel House Drive, Newcastle, at 9.25am on Thursday.
Two robbers stole an undisclosed amount of cash and used a stolen car to make their getaway.
Police are appealing for witnesses.
Baseball bat attack on security guards at supermarket
Robbers armed with baseball bats have robbed security guards collecting cash from a supermarket in Newcastle.
It happened at Sainsbury's, Chapel House Drive, Chapel House at 9.25am today.
One of the robbers attacked a security guard, breaking his arm.
The two robbers then made off with an undisclosed amount of cash.
Northumbria Police say the offenders fled the scene in a silver Vauxhall Astra estate registration NE 08 MBY.
The estate car was later found abandoned in Chapel House Drive. The car had been stolen from an address in the Brunswick area of North Tyneside on Monday.
– Northumbria PoliceWe want to speak to anyone who may have seen the Vauxhall Astra estate in the days since it was stolen, anyone who might have seen it in the area before the robbery happened or anyone who might have seen it when it was abandonded. We also want to speak to anyone who was in the area and who witnessed the robbery take place or anyone who saw anything suspicious."
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Skier plunges 2,000 ft to his death
A skier from Whitley Bay has died after falling nearly 2,000 ft from a mountain in the French Alps.
David Tapsfield, who was living in France, was skiing on a mountain in Chamonix, when a ridge of snow collapsed underneath him.
His fall triggered an avalanche, which swept him down the mountain.
Mr Tapsfield was 28 years old.
Union making "unrealistic demands"
Northern Rail has criticised the RMT union for organising a strike at its maintenance depot in Newcastle.
Train drivers walked out last night in a row over pay. They want to be regraded to recognise the "complex and demanding role" they perform.
– Adrian Thompson, HR Director, Northern Rail"This is not a dispute of our making. The RMT is yet again, making unrealistic and unsubstantiated demands without any reasoning.
“We have a robust contingency plan in place so there will be minimal disruption, if any, to our customers’ normal train service, a service we work hard to deliver for them.”
Train driver strike "rock solid"
The RMT union says a strike involving maintenance train drivers at a Northern Rail depot in Newcastle was "rock solid".
– RMT General Secretary Bob Crow“The rock solid action by this group of key Northern Rail staff shows that they are united and determined to win justice over this botched and mismanaged re-grading exercise.The union is clear that the job is complex and demanding, and that now is the time for the company to acknowledge that Maintenance Depot Drivers should be re-graded accordingly in recognition of their role and responsibilities."
Train drivers strike in Newcastle
Northern Rail staff who drive maintenance trains walked out on strike last night.
The RMT union says drives working at their Traincare Depot in Heaton should be regraded to recognise the complex and demanding role they perform.
Northern Rail says the drivers are currently paid the correct rate.
A second strike is due to be staged this evening.
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