Updates on Thursday 12 May 2016
Some sunny spells at first this evening, but cloud, hill fog and coastal mist returning from the North Sea overnight.
Breezy near the coast but lighter winds inland. Most parts dry, apart from some coastal drizzle.
Newcastle United "failed miserably" in waiting too long to sack Steve McClaren and bring in Rafa Benitez, the NUFC Fans Forum says.
The Magpies were condemned to the Championship last night after Sunderland hammered Everton - a result which led the Blues to sack manager Roberto Martinez after three years in charge.
But these Newcastle supporters are adamant the woes of their team are not down to their current manager.
Image source, ReutersA statement from the Fans Forum says: "We are completely devastated to lose our position in the Premier League.
"Rafa Benitez has demonstrated his ability to connect with the fans. The fans of this club deserve the respect of the board and current owners of Newcastle United.
"This group of fans can make a huge difference to the club and have demonstrated his on several occasions."
BBC Travel
There's long delays as the A19 is closed southbound in Billingham between the Norton Interchange and Portrack Interchange because of a serious accident involving a motorbike and a lorry.
Congestion is back to the A689 junction.
Get the latest travel news for Teesside and Tyne and Wear.
Dr Flavia Bustreo, WHO's assistant director general for family, women and children's health, said: "When dirty air blankets our cities, the most vulnerable urban populations - the youngest, oldest and poorest - are the most impacted."
Jenny Bates, Friends of the Earth air pollution campaigner, said air pollution caused 40,000 early deaths a year in the UK.
The WHO said that across the world 80% of cities that measure outdoor air pollution are failing to meet its guidance for safe levels of air quality.
A meteorological angle from Sam Allardyce describing Sunderland's route to Premier League safety. "December was dark from a weather point of view and dark at the club. We lost five in a row but there was a window of opportunity.
"That window was January and the new lads have done so well to settle at the club. Since then it's been much brighter.
"I've been very blessed in life but I'll try and make it even better next year!"
Image source, Getty ImagesA member of the Greggs bakery family who's accused of sexually assaulting boys has told Newcastle Crown Court he spent years helping children and wouldn't do them any harm.
Colin Gregg, 74, is accused of abusing nine boys over a 30-year period.
Image source, PAHis lawyer asked him: "Did you assault any boy in any way?"
He replied no, saying his "life has been spent on fulfilling their potential. Not to harm them".
He told the jury that he set up a schooling establishment to look after boys with difficulties and set up the North East Children's Cancer Run, which has raised nearly £7m.
Previously, the court was told that he assaulted a boy in front of two others, but today the jury heard claims that one them couldn't have been in the room at the same time.
The trial continues.
Image source, Shields GazetteNorthumbria Police has shared this photo of an Audi RS6 which it says is worth about £80,000.
It was seized for having no insurance, with officers saying "we don't just stop the bangers".
Image source, Northumbria PoliceWe imagine the owner now wishes they'd splashed out a bit more cash to stay on the right side of the law...
Sunderland Echo
Newspaper
Image source, Sunderland EchoA force's legal boss disclosed confidential details about an alleged affair to "bolster herself" in the eyes of colleagues, a hearing has been told.
The tribunal brought by Denise Aubrey has heard about alleged affairs between senior officers at Northumbria Police.
Cheshire Police Deputy Chief Constable Helen King said her "gossiping" constituted gross misconduct.
Ms King chaired a disciplinary hearing in 2014 after the head of legal services was accused of gossiping about the rumours with colleagues during a meeting.
Ms Aubrey is claiming unfair dismissal after being sacked in 2014 for gross misconduct, which the force denies.
The case continues.
A man who died in a crash on the A19 in County Durham yesterday has been named by police.
Jason Hunt, 49, from Acklam Road, Thornaby, was taken by air ambulance to the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle where he later died.
Police believe he may have fallen ill at the wheel but a post-mortem examination is to be carried out to determine the cause of death.
Image source, Durham PoliceBBC Travel
The A1231 Sunderland Highway in Washington is closed and there's slow traffic eastbound at the A182 Washington Highway junction because of an accident and recovery work.
Get the latest travel news for Teesside and Tyne and Wear.
North East actor and TV presenter Robson Green has been involved in a dramatic cliff rescue.
He was filming in Clovelly, north Devon when a man in his 70s was found 60ft (18m) down the cliff.
The star heard his cries for help and tried to reach him before coastguards airlifted the man to safety.
His spokeswoman said he "only did what anyone else would have done in the circumstances" and did not consider himself a hero.
Image source, DOLLYRobson Green with Sharon King who saw him help rescuers and called him a "lovely man"
Local resident Sharon King, who saw the rescue, tweeted, external that Mr Green "went over the cliff to the casualty. No thought for himself. Lovely man!"
Former Newcastle United full-back Danny Simpson has been handed a curfew order after the community service sentence he received for throttling his ex-girlfriend was revoked due to press intrusion.
Simpson, 29, now with Leicester City, had only done half of the 300 hours of unpaid work he was sentenced to last June for assaulting Stephanie Ward, the mother of his child, in a row at their house in Greater Manchester, in December 2014.
His lawyer Gary Ryan told a district judge at Manchester Magistrates' Court he was applying to have the community order revoked and asked that the millionaire footballer instead pay a fine.
The judge said Simpson's sentence for assaulting his ex-partner was "richly-deserved punishment" and his original sentence was revoked and he was handed the curfew order instead.
Image source, Getty Images
BBC Sport
BBC Radio 5 live's Conor McNamara rounds up the best stats from Sunderland's season and Kevin Kilbane analyses what Sunderland need to do to prevent another relegation battle next time round.
Former Newcastle goalkeeper Shay Given gives his thoughts on the Magpies' relegation and Norwich boss Alex Neil says he blames himself for the Canaries' struggles:
Sam the golden Labrador is trained to sniff out dry rot hidden in the timbers and structure of old buildings.
The so called rot-hound is helping with survey work at the 300-year-old Holy Trinity Church that is being transformed into a community venue.
A Churches Conservation Trust spokesman said his job is "incredibly important".
Image source, Shields GazetteFormer Newcastle United captain Alan Shearer says he would be 'amazed' if Rafael Benitez remained as manager of the relegated Magpies.
Image source, ReutersNewcastle's second relegation from the Premier League in eight years was confirmed last night.
Shearer told BBC Radio 5 live: "A guy of great stature, a world-renowned coach with his CV managing in the Championship? I can't see it happening.
"I'd love to be wrong. It would be brilliant if he was to stay."
Image source, The Gazette
Image source, FIRST TRAINSThe 10-year deal will allow First Group to operate five trains a day each way via intermediate stations at Morpeth, Newcastle and Stevenage from 2021.
It said average fares would be less than £25 and there would be only one class of carriage.
Stagecoach, which operates Virgin Trains East Coast on the same rails, has warned its revenue will be harmed.
