Tyne Tees wearside

A 'welcome home' street party has been thrown for a boy who has just returned following a life changing operation in America.

Derek Russell, 3, has cerebral palsy and needed surgery to help him walk. He has been away with his mum for five weeks and received a warm welcome from his community on Wearside.

Two firefighters have been hurt after a ceiling collapsed while tackling a blaze at a children's home on Wearside late on Tuesday night, October 14.

The pair have both treated for whiplash injuries and burns at the Sunderland Royal Hospital and fire chiefs say it could have been far worse.

Police believe the fire was started deliberately and have launched an investigation.

A housing provider on Wearside is leading a campaign to get workmen to help spot the signs of domestic violence.

Workers from Gentoo already look out for broken windows and bust locks and can inform support workers if they have concerns. But now housing companies across the country may follow their example.

Mark Robson, who works as a Joiner, has spoken of the signs they look out for:

Police investigating the murder of Sunderland grandfather Robert Hutchinson are continuing to appeal for information - two months after he was last seen.

The 57-year-old was last seen in Hendon on June 23. He left his home in Corporation Road at 6.20pm in a blue Nissan Micra. His car was left in Stewart Street June 23-24. It was found on July 13 after police were contacted by a member of the public.

The independent charity Crimestoppers is offering a £3,000 reward for information that leads to the conviction of those responsible.

Anyone with information should contact Northumbria Police on 101.

A £3,000 reward is now being offered for help in solving a murder investigation.

Crimestoppers is offering a reward for information in connection with the disappearance of Sunderland grandfather Robert Hutchinson.

The 57 year old was last seen more than six weeks ago at 6.20pm on Monday, June 23, leaving his home in Corporation Road, Hendon, in a blue Nissan Micra.

On July 16, the missing person enquiry became a murder enquiry when two men were arrested on suspicion of murder. They have since been released on police bail.

Hundreds of gunners will march through Sunderland city centre today as the 4th Regiment Royal Artillery exercises its Freedom of Sunderland.

The regiment, historically known as the North East Gunners, was first given its Freedom in 1974 and is marking this 40th anniversary with a parade.

As part of the ceremonies, eight of its 105mm 'light guns' will fire a round each from the terrace in Mowbray Park.

Led by the Band of the King's Division, the regiment will march from the Civic Centre at 1pm.

The parade will head for the Burdon Road War Memorial where it will be inspected by the Mayor of Sunderland, Councillor Stuart Porthouse, and the Lord Lieutenant of Tyne and Wear Sir Nigel Sherlock.

The city centre parade is due to begin at approximately 1.30pm and the guns fired at its conclusion at 2.05pm.

Road closures: Burdon and Park Road are closed from 11am to 8pm. A rolling road closure is in place for the city centre parade when it 'steps off'.

Two fishermen are said to be lucky to be alive tonight after they spent nine hours adrift on a lifeboat after their own boat sank 12 miles off the coast of Sunderland.

The men, who haven't been identified, were picked up by a passing Dutch yacht on its way to Whitby and taken to Hartlepool Marina.

Joshua Shrimpton Dean reports.

Two fishermen have been rescued after spending nine hours aboard a life raft when their boat sank off the coast of Sunderland.

The pair had been fishing in the North Sea 12 miles east of Sunderland when their boat appeared to hit a submerged object, sinking so quickly they did not have time to make a distress call.

The pair were picked up by a Dutch yacht on Monday, Humber Coastguard said.

The crew contacted the coastguard which arranged for a lifeboat from Hartlepool to pick up the fishermen and bring them to shore.

Police searching for missing Robert Hutchinson have released new images of his car.

It's four weeks since Robert, 57, was last seen leaving his home in Corporation Road in Hendon, Sunderland. He was in his car.

The blue coloured Nissan Micra was later recovered at the end of Stewart Street, just off Chester Road.

Last week, two men were questioned on suspicion of murder and have been released on police bail pending further enquiries.