Updates on Thursday 26 January 2017
Our coverage has now come to an end. Thank you for joining us.
For updates throughout the night head to BBC Tees, BBC Newcastle and Look North and online.
We'll be back at 08:00 tomorrow with more news, sport, weather and travel.
If you would like to contact us then do so using Twitter, external, Facebook, external, or via email at northeast.locallive@bbc.co.uk.
Low cloud, mist and fog will affect many parts.
Feeling cold with a widespread frost and brisk winds.
Strong winds are likely along coasts and over hills.
Ed Sheeran has announced he's coming to Newcastle in three months time.
He'll be performing at the city's arena on 19 and 20 April as part of his worldwide tour.
Tickets go on sale next Thursday.
Ed Sheeran
Police warn delivery drivers to take care after a spate of takeaway robberies on Teesside.
Read MoreThree men have been charged in connection with an armed robbery at a bank in Horden.
It took place at a branch of TSB on Blackhills Road on 21 September last year.
The three men are from the North West of England. They have been charged with conspiracy to commit robbery in connection woth the County Durham robbery, two in Greater Manchester and one in Lancashire.
All three appeared at Manchester Magistrates' Court today and were remanded into custody.
Image source, GoogleTSB on Blackhills Road in Horden
Our weatherman Paul Mooney was driving along the A695 bypass towards Crawcrook when he spotted a Harris Hawk perched on a bridge.
It's a little odd because they are usually found in the United States and South America.
The large raptor (example pictured below) is distinguishable by its bright yellow beak and legs.
We're guessing it's been lost by someone involved in falconry.
Lottery money will provide access to a set of World War One practice trenches on a remote area of moorland behind Rothbury, in Northumberland.
They were used to prepare the men of the Northumberland Fusiliers for the Western Front and are extremely well persevered.
Northumberland County Council has received £67,400 from the Heritage Lottery Fund and will work in partnership with the Forestry Commission as well as a local archaeology group.
Army cadets will be involved in creating a full replica of one of the trenches and education staff will provide tours of the site.
Image source, English HeritageNorthumberland Army Cadets will be involved in creating a full replica of a First World War trench.
A team of clown doctors who visit sick children in North East hospitals are celebrating their birthday today.
The group of actors who dress in red noses and white medical coats have been clowning around at the Great North Childrens Hospital in Newcastle for the last decade.
Celebrations to mark the anniversary had to be postponed in October last year after the so called killer clown craze.
Sunderland Echo
Newspaper
A Sunderland war hero who fell 800ft when his parachute failed to open, external is organising a sponsored bike ride to benefit wounded veterans.
Image source, Sunderland EchoArmy veteran Jim Holborn is taking part in the Emperor bike ride.
Stephanie Finnon
BBC Newcastle
A woman from Northumberland, who graduated from university on a stretcher, is trying to raise £150,000 for life saving surgery in America.
Melanie Hartshorn from Cramlington has been organising all her own fundraising, but recently her health has been setting her back and has spent months in hospital seriously ill.
Image source, Newcastle UniversityThe 27-year-old has a rare and debilitating condition that causes her joints to dislocate and means she can't get out of bed.
She told BBC Newcastle she's in severe pain and is now receiving palliative care.
She has already raised £21,000 towards her total and is organising a ball at Kingston Park next month to help towards the total.
There's also a pantomime - Beauty and the Beast - running in Cramlington until Saturday to raise money for her surgery.
BBC Tees
www.bbc.co.uk/BBCTees
There's a warning to parents after an apparent attempted child abduction on Teesside.
A 10-year-old girl was approached by a stranger near The Avenue Primary School in Nunthorpe. He spoke to her and then made off on foot, Cleveland Police said.
He's described as white, about 5ft 8in, medium build and aged in his late 30s with a bald head and facial stubble.
He also had a tattoo on his right forearm of a woman's face with a red background.
Graeme Mac
BBC Radio Suffolk sport
Former Newcastle defender Steven Taylor has joined Ipswich Town on a deal until the end of the season.
Image source, Getty ImagesManager Mick McCarthy says the 31-year-old has impressed during a week long trial at Portman Road, and will be in the squad for Saturday's trip to Preston.
"He's a really positive influence and an experienced voice, which is what we need at the moment," McCarthy told us this afternoon.
"He's been organising the back line and he looks fit. He's hungry to prove to everyone that he can play at this level at the very least."
Two years after it was rated "good" by inspectors, one of Newcastle's biggest secondary schools has been put into special measures.
Heaton Manor School was rated as "inadequate" by Ofsted after an inspection late last year.
The report highlighted a decline in the school's performance and weak leadership.
Headteacher Lynne Ackland retired suddenly during the Christmas holidays and a temporary leadership is now in charge.
Image source, GoogleHeaton Manor School
A new multimillion- pound research and testing facility will help the North East subsea sector maintain its leading position as the ‘NASA of the underwater world’., external
Image source, The ChronicleHyperbaric test facilities at BEL Valves
A wall behind his fridge was knocked through to create a cavity to hide a runway girl from police.
Read MoreBBC Tees
www.bbc.co.uk/BBCTees
Volunteers are being sought for this year's Kynren festival in County Durham, with a mix and match session taking place at Flatts Farm in Bishop Auckland this evening at 18:30.
Anyone who signs up can take part - last year more than 1,000 volunteers made up the cast and crew over 15 evenings.
This year the organisers want to put on 17 shows and they say they'll welcome applications from anyone who's interested., external
Would you like to take part?
Sunderland Echo
Newspaper
A scrap dealer could lose his licence after he was caught dumping a large amount of rubbish at a well-known fly-tipping hot spot., external
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Well it's a cold old day out there. Here's the forecast for the rest of the day - very cold and generally cloudy with mist and fog patches, especially higher parts of the Pennines, Cheviots and the Cleveland Hills.
A few brighter spells may develop towards Kielder. Many inland areas will struggle to rise above freezing with brisk winds accentuating the bitter feel.
Maximum Temperature: 2C (36F).
