Updates on Tuesday 21 June 2016
Thank you for joining us today. We'll be back with more news, sport, weather and travel updates at 08:00 tomorrow.
Why not get in touch before then? If you'd like to then feel free to send us a message on Twitter, external, Facebook, external, or via email at northeast.locallive@bbc.co.uk.
It will remain dry overnight, with light winds. Any cloud will be well broken, leading to plenty of prolonged clearer spells, and perhaps the odd pocket of mist developing.
BBC Look North
North East and Cumbria
Tonight on Look North we'll bring the latest information on Sunderland city council's former chief executive's £185,000 pay-off, as well as the history behind local archaeologist Getrude Bell.
We'll also tell you all about the final EU campaigns that have taken place in our region today.
That, and much more, at 18:30 on BBC One.
It's been a fairly sunny day, which always helps lift the mood and make your day that little bit easier.
Well, it looks like our Weather Watchers have made the most of the sun.
Here's a gorgeous picture of Redcar beach, taken today by Margaret G:
Image source, Margaret GYou too can become a Weather Watcher - click here to find out how.
MPJo Cox, who died after she was shot and stabbed on Thursday, will be remembered at St Nicholas Cathedral in Newcastle tomorrow - on what would have been her 42nd birthday.
A service and vigil to celebrate her life will be held at 18:30.
The Dean of the Cathedral and and a number of local MPs will take part in the service.
Image source, PARedcar's very own Terry Bywater will lead Great Britain's wheelchair basketball team this summer in Rio.
Terry thanked fans on Twitter for their good luck messages, and said that he will return the support "in the form of some bling".
Image source, Getty ImagesEarlier today the second battalion, Yorkshire regiment, marched through Middlesbrough on their Freedom Parade.
They were first awarded freedom of the town when they were known as The Green Howards.
Hundreds lined the streets - our reporter Steph Zielke was there:
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Three kittens, which are too young to be away from their mother, were found inside a scrap freezer in Sunderland, the RSPCA said.
A member of the public was walking up the back lane behind the houses in Lyndhurt Terrace on 13 June when he heard meowing and went to check out the noise.
They were found without any food, water or bedding.
But there's a happy ending - Smokey, Fleck and Squeak are being looked after by the RSPCA in Chester le Street, and are said to be doing really well.
Image source, RSPCA
Fergus Hewison
BBC Newcastle political reporter
It's emerged that the former Sunderland City Council chief executive Dave Smith received a pay-off of £185,470 for "loss of office" after leaving last year.
Mr Smith left Sunderland after a highly critical Ofsted report into its children's services - but it's not clear if this was the reason for his departure.
Sunderland's Conservative opposition group says Mr Smith's pay-off will "deeply concern" many people in the city.
Sunderland Council says the £185,470 for loss of office was in line with compensation for senior officers who have now left the council
Steph Zielke
BBC Tees
This afternoon, people gathered in Darlington town centre to pay tribute to Jo Cox, the MP who was killed last week.
Darlington MP Jenny Chapman and a nimber of other people laid flowers in memory of the MP for Batley and Spen.
Ms Chapman told me that she'll continue to be inspired by the memory of her "fearless" colleague.
Sunderland Echo
Newspaper
A Children’s Services Company’ is set to be established to protect Sunderland’s young people after a fall-out damning report., external
Image source, Sunderland Echo
Ana Guerra-Moore
BBC News Online
The Tyneside fundraiser Mark Allison, who is known as Run Geordie Run, has reached the half way mark of his latest challenge.
What is it that he's doing? He's raising cash for the Bobby Robson Foundation and The Children's Foundation by running across Europe.
He's already jogged from John O'Groats to Lands End and across the USA and Australia - I'm exhausted just typing this.
He is currently in the beautiful Italian city of Turin and, unsurprisingly, he says it's tough going.
Image source, otherDurham Police have named a woman found dead in a West Cornforth house on Saturday as Sandra Gill.
The body of the 50 year old was found in the living room of a property in Palm Road, Ferryhil. She had an injury to her head and was pronounced dead at the scene.
Sunderland AFC have confirmed that they will face Borussia Dortmund, external in their final pre-season game before the start of the 2016-17 Premier League.
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The ex-wife of Rolling Stone Ronnie Wood is auctioning a huge collection of dolls today left to her by her late doll maker mother.
The model and dancer Jo Wood and her sister are parting with the collection today when about 400 lots will go to auction at Vectis Auctions in Thornaby.
Eighteen schools in the North East have introduced gender neutral uniform policies.
It means that if a boy wants to wear a skirt he can - and if a girl wants to wear trousers, that's fine as well.
Across the UK more than 80 state schools have adopted the policy - the 18 schools in our region are all in County Durham.
Here's a story which is capturing people's interest online - Tilly was born 17 weeks early, weighing only 13 ounces.
Doctors said her chance of survival for the first few days was only about 1%, but she survived for four weeks.
Her loving parents Craig and Jodi Scott, from Houghton-le-Spring, near Sunderland, documented her short life - you can watch their video below.
Martin Emmerson
BBC Newcastle
Lunch and Yorkshire lead Durham by 65 runs at 237-8. Four wickets in the session and 107 runs too. Five wickets for Chris Rushworth.
BBC Look North
North East and Cumbria
A Northumberland Police officer has been nominated for a bravery award after preventing a passenger opening an aircraft door in mid-flight.
And 18 schools in the North East have introduced a gender neutral uniform policy.
Join us for these and all our other stories on BBC One at 13:30.
This afternoon will remain warm and dry with bright or sunny spells.
The wind will be light, but onshore breezes will keep coastal areas cooler than inland.
Maximum Temperature: 20C (68F).
