Our live coverage across the daypublished at 18:00
Live updates for the North East have finished for the day but we'll be back from 08:00 on Friday with the latest news, sport, weather and travel.
Summary
Updates on Thursday 27 August 2015
News, sport, travel and weather updates resume at 08:00 on Friday
Our live coverage across the daypublished at 18:00
SAFC match confirmed against Man Citypublished at 17:57
Nick Barnes
BBC Newcastle's Sunderland commentatorSunderland's League Cup clash against Manchester City has been confirmed for the Stadium of Light on Tuesday 22 September, kicking off at 19:45.
In March 2014, the two sides met at Wembley in the final of the same tournament with the Black Cats taking the lead after 10 minutes. City went on to win the title 3-1.
Image source, PAWeather: Showers will become isolated or clearpublished at 17:53
Paul Mooney
BBC WeatherSome showers may continue across the North Pennines, though elsewhere becoming isolated with a dry night for most in prospect, accompanied by some long clear spells. Winds decreasing to mainly light, but stronger across hills.
Minimum temperature: 11C (52F). Check the forecast near you.
Teesside air show rescheduled for Maypublished at 17:50
Jonathan SwinglerThousands were due there this Bank Holiday weekend. But now it's all off. Teesside's first airshow for 25 years has been postponed.
Organisers of the event at Durham Tees Valley Airport say new restrictions following the Shoreham air tragedy would have "seriously limited" their plans.
It has now been rescheduled for 28 May. I'll have the full story on BBC Look North on BBC One at 18:30.
Former SAFC defender joins Sheffield Wednesdaypublished at 17:42
He could make his Owls debut against Middlesbrough on Saturday and then face Newcastle United in the League Cup.
Image source, Getty ImagesThe 31-year-old, who is on loan from Norwich, made 23 league appearances for the Canaries last season before ending the campaign on loan at Championship rivals Fulham.
Sunderland Echo: Son threw broken glass at motherpublished at 17:32
Sunderland Echo
NewspaperSir Alan Beith is made a peerpublished at 17:21
BBC Newcastle
www.bbc.co.uk/BBCNewcastleThe former Liberal Democrat MP for Berwick, Sir Alan Beith, has been made a peer.
He worked as a member of parliament from 1973 up until May this year, making him the longest serving Lib Dem in parliament.
Sir Alan was described by former Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg as a "huge figure" in politics.
Drug smuggler jailed: "Significant seizure worth millions"published at 17:06
A Dutch lorry driver, who has been jailed after trying to smuggle cannabis through the Port of Tyne, has been stopped from bringing millions of pounds worth of illegal drugs into the North East.
Mick Maloney, head of the National Crime Agency's north east border investigation team, said: "This was a significant seizure, and we have brought to justice a man involved in a major attempt to smuggle illegal drugs worth many millions of pounds into the UK."
Energy consultancy to create 70 jobspublished at 16:52
A Gateshead-based energy consultancy is set to create 70 jobs.
Northern Gas and Power currently employs 30 people and it hopes to employ 20 more before the end of the year, with the total going up to 100 by the end of 2016.
European director Sean McCann says they're putting in place "an ambitious yet sustainable growth plan".
Where do Teessiders say they're from?published at 16:38
FacebookWe've been asking on our Facebook page - which do you prefer to be called? Are you from Teesside? Tees Valley? County Durham? North Yorkshire?, external
Bill fellows writes on Facebook, external: "I always say I'm a Teessider"
The Teesside Coffee Company writes, external: "We are a new business based in Redcar and we went through all the options of names... However there was a sense of pride in the name Teesside"
Lyn Howell writes, external: "I was born in Middlesbrough North Yorkshire but I do say Teesside. Never a fan of Cleveland and never ever called us Tees Valley."
Drug smuggler Dutch driver jailedpublished at 16:24
A Dutch lorry driver has been jailed after trying to smuggle cannabis with a street value of £7m through the Port of Tyne.
Angelo Raaijmakers, 36, was stopped by Border Force officers on 7 February after arriving at the North Shields port on a ferry from Ijmuiden, Holland.
Image source, Border ForceHe admitted attempting to import 1.2 tonnes of the class B drug when he appeared at Newcastle Crown Court. Raaijmakers, from s-Hertogenbosch, was jailed for five years and three months.
Two-vehicle crash in County Durhampublished at 16:11
Only minor injuries were caused in a two-car crash on the A177 in Spennymoor.
The road is now clear, police say.
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End of X postYour photos: Northern Lights in Alnwickpublished at 15:51
Kevin Temple sent us this photo of the Northern Lights spotted from Alnwick in Northumberland.
Image source, Kevin TempleYou can send your pictures by email to northeast.locallive@bbc.co.uk or tweet @BBCNewsNE, external.
Tyneside comedian nominated for best show at Edinburgh Fringepublished at 15:36
Seymour Mace, who starred in Hebburn and Ideal, is among eight acts who made the shortlist for the best comedy show award, now in its 35th year, including James Acaster, Joseph Morpurgo, Nish Kumar and Kieran Hodgson.
The other nominees for the award were Sam Simmons, Sarah Kendall and Trygve Wakenshaw.
The winners will be announced in a ceremony on Saturday.
Birds of prey drafted in to scare seagulls... and me!published at 15:20
Rebecca O'Neill
BBC NewcastleBirds of prey are being drafted in to scare seagulls away from the lake in Sunderland's Mowbray Park.
I went to meet Stuart Laidler who handles them and he set a European Eagle Owl, called Wingnut, up to fly towards me... watch what happened next, external.
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Remembering the first Boro match at the Riversidepublished at 15:04
Parling named in England squadpublished at 15:51
Stockton-born back Geoff Parling has been named in the England squad for the Rugby World Cup.
Image source, Getty ImagesHead coach Stuart Lancaster, whose side begin their tournament against Fiji at Twickenham on 18 September, said: "It's really positive that we have such depth and options to choose from.
"Selection wasn't easy and it is tough to leave anyone out but it's important to stress that the players not in this group are still part of our wider squad and could come in at any point.
Travel news: High winds close Transporter Bridgepublished at 14:41
BBC TravelThe Transporter Bridge in Middlesbrough is closed in both directions because of strong winds.
There's also very slow traffic on the A67 High Street in both directions in Yarm between the B1265 Worsall Road junction and the Aislaby Road junction in the roadworks area.
More traffic news on the BBC Travel website for Tyne and Wear and Teesside.
NUFC release video of a match daypublished at 14:02
A quote from Sir Bobby Robson, St James' Park captured in all its glory and some classic goals have been included in a video produced by Newcastle United.
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End of X postWeather: Scattered showers more likelypublished at 13:51
Kay Crewdson
Weather presenter, BBC Look NorthFurther scattered showers are likely across the North East this afternoon, these most frequent and possibly heavy across the hills.
Some good sunny spells in the eastern areas like Durham, with some places staying dry. There will be a noticeable southwesterly breeze making it feel cool at times.
Maximum temperature: 18C (64F). Check the forecast near you.
