Welcome to your daily look at the news in the North East.
Each morning and lunchtime we'll bring you some of the latest news from the North East - from breaking news and top stories to NUFC updates and the latest on the cost of living crisis.
More than 300 jobs lost as Gateshead firm Tolent goes into administration
More than 300 people have been made redundant after Tyneside construction company Tolent was put into administration.
Tolent - which is one of the region’s largest construction firms - closed sites on Friday and sent staff home. It had been trying to secure its future but now it has been confirmed that it has gone into administration with 313 jobs lost. A further 91 workers have been retained at the firm while administrators try to save it.
The company has been involved in a number of high profile construction schemes in the region in recent years, including the Hadrian’s Tower project in Newcastle. But big losses on the £84.5m Milburngate development in Durham have hit the firm and now business advisory group Interpath has confirmed that a team has been appointed after the firm tumbled into financial difficulties.
Read more here.
Police witness appeal after reports of rape in Sunderland
Police are appealing for potential witnesses after reports of a rape in Sunderland.
A woman contacted police and reported she had been raped by a man who picked her up at around 3.52am on February 12 following a night out at 7Even nightclub.
It is alleged that the driver picked her up on Derwent Street before driving to the Hendon Beach area and raping her. She was later dropped off outside her home address in a disorientated condition and police were later contacted.
An investigation was immediately launched by detectives from Northumbria Police’s safeguarding department and the victim is currently being support by specially-trained officers. Officers are asking for the public’s help and have issued CCTV images of potential witnesses they would like to trace.
Read the full story here.
Meet the man behind £3.5m decision that has helped Newcastle make huge stadium breakthrough
North of Tyne mayor Jamie Driscoll has spoken to Chronicle Live about his £3.5m decision that helped pave the way for Newcastle United to agree a deal to buy back the long-term lease on land at Strawberry Place.
Former owner Mike Ashley sold the land that historically belonged to Newcastle United to developers in 2019. However, the stalled £120m proposal never got off the ground despite planning permission being controversially granted by Newcastle City Council.
It appeared that the North of Tyne Combined Authority (NTCA) would step in with £3.5m of funding to cover a 'viability gap' last month, but that did not come to pass despite the supposed benefits.
North of Tyne mayor Jamie Driscoll ultimately decided against signing off on the proposal because he did not want to put public money into it - much to the relief of Newcastle fans.
"I'm not the hero of Newcastle United," he told ChronicleLive. "That's entirely down to the players and the staff. If I can help, that's great but I'm not here to take credit for that."
Read the full story here.
Cramlington woman out of coma after undergoing second part of potentially life-saving operation
A Northumberland woman is now out of a coma after undergoing the second part of a major operation which she hopes will save her life.
Melanie Hartshorn suffers from Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS), which causes her skull to dislocate from her neck and spine. The rare condition means she has spent the majority of her life lying down.
The 33-year-old travelled to Barcelona in Spain for the operation, which has to be carried out through her throat, in October last year. However, only the first part of the surgery was completed as her body wasn't strong enough.
Melanie, who lives in Cramlington, has spent the last few months recovering from the first surgery. On Friday (February 10), she underwent the second part of the operation, which is not available on the NHS.
Her PA and carer Leann Duff, 41, announced how Melanie's neurosurgeon, Dr. Vicenç Gilete García, said the surgery went "better than expected" but the next few days would be crucial.
Read the full story here.
READ NEXT:
- Gateshead woman slams council after front door was boarded up for 14 months leaving her 'homeless'
- Meet the 91-year-old Newcastle fan heading to Wembley for Carabao Cup final who hopes to have 'tears in his eyes'
- First-time buyer becomes Instagram star after £25k transformation of dated Seaton Delaval house into dream home
