News & Sport

For years, Sarah, a mum-of-three from Durham, woke up feeling groggy, anxious and ashamed. Today, she’s thriving as an office manager, happily married and preparing to take on her first ultra-marathon.

A child sex offender was told to expect to be jailed when he is sentenced at court in the New Year.

A sex offending pensioner risked spending Christmas behind bars after he was found to have installed a private internet browsing app in breach of a court order.

To help you get the best deal on your petrol or diesel, we've compiled a list of the cheapest garages in and around Darlington, according to petrolprices.com. Petrol prices get their information direct from garages and from users.

The Met Office has issued the following weather forecast for Darlington and County Durham for the weekend.

While Kylie Minogue recently secured the official UK Christmas Number One with her hit ‘XMAS’, the North East has been busy casting its own tactical votes. Durham OnAir, the local radio station for County Durham, has concluded its annual poll to find the region’s definitive festive favorite. After weeks of voting from listeners across the region from Wolsingham to Pelaw, Darlington, Durham, Newcastle and Gateshead, the results are ready to be unveiled.

Singer Chris Rea, known for the festive hit 'Driving Home For Christmas', has died at the age of 74. His family said he died peacefully in hospital after a short illness. Christopher Anton Rea, the Middlesbrough-born blues-rock legend known for his soulful slide guitar and unmistakable husky baritone, has passed away at 74. From his start in music at age 22 to selling over 40 million albums, Rea’s journey was defined by a grit that mirrored the industrial landscape of his northern roots.

Lorne Michaels, Crossroads Live and Sonia Friedman Productions are delighted to announce further casting for the 2026/2027 UK and Ireland tour of the award-winning MEAN GIRLS THE MUSICAL, visiting Sunderland Empire from Monday 6 – Saturday 11 April 2026. Joining the previously announced Emily Lane as Cady Heron, Vivian Panka as Regina George, Sophie Pourret as Karen Smith, Georgie Buckland as Janis Sarkisian, Max Gill as Damian Hubbard, Karim Zeroual as Kevin Ganatra and Joshua Elmore as Mr Duvall, are Faye Tozer as Ms Heron/Ms Norbury/Mrs George and Kiara Dario as Gretchen Wieners.

A life-sized, official LEGO® sculpture of everyone’s favourite bookworm, Matilda, is arriving at Fenwick Newcastle this December! Built in partnership with Sunderland Empire, the spectacular statue celebrates the North East arrival of the Royal Shakespeare Company’s multi-award-winning West End production Matilda The Musical this February.

HC-One’s St Margaret’s Care Home in Crossgate, County Durham, recently hosted its much-anticipated annual Christmas Fayre, bringing together residents, families, and the local community for a festive celebration.

Police described the incident as "tragic" and urged people not to get into the water on Boxing Day

Nearly 7m people tuned in on the BBC, ITV, Sky News and GB News to watch King Charles deliver his annual broadcast.

Imran Ahmed was among five people accused of seeking to "coerce" US firms into censoring free speech.

Police Scotland says officers were called to Napiershall Street in the city's West End shortly before midnight.

Two men and a woman have been questioned by police over the crash in Blankney on 16 December.

Micah Hamilton is a surprise selection in Middlesbrough's starting line-up for this afternoon's Boxing Day home game with Blackburn Rovers.

Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe has admitted the club is in limbo as long as its stadium and training ground plans remain unresolved.

Kim Hellberg always knew he would find out more about his Middlesbrough squad in the wake of their first defeat to Bristol City

Callum Brittain as very fond memories of his three years at Blackburn Rovers but "couldn't be happier" at Middlesbrough as he prepares to take on his former side

Eddie Howe is expecting his Newcastle United side to face a “different” Manchester United when they line-up at Old Trafford in the Premier League