Welcome to your second daily look at news in the North East.
Each morning and afternoon we'll bring you some of the latest news from the region - from breaking news and top stories to NUFC updates and the cost of living latest.
Today, we bring you news of ongoing incidents in Benwell and South Shields, the potential approval of a housing estate despite grave concerns, and a FFP boost for Newcastle United. This is your afternoon North East Today update.
Massive area of woodland cordoned off in Benwell
A huge police presence has descended onto an area of woodland in Newcastle.
A massive wooded area off Amelia Walk in Benwell has been taped off with investigations ongoing.
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Specialist search teams have arrived at the scene with a number of other police vehicles visible in the area.
South Shields residents evacuated following blast at home
Emergency services have descended on a South Shields street following an explosion at a home.
Fire crews, police and paramedics were called to the scene on Bewick Street just after 11am to reports of a blast. A person has been injured as a result of the explosion.
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Pictures show the house has sustained serious damage with the back of the terraced property being destroyed. A number of residents have also been evacuated as emergency services deal with the incident.
900-home Newcastle housing estate could be approved this week despite 'grave concerns'
Controversial plans to build a new 900-home estate in Newcastle could be signed off this week.
Councillors will rule on Thursday whether Banks Property will be allowed to push ahead with their £178m proposals for the Kingston Village development in the north west of the city.
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The plans have been in the works for years and have attracted major criticism from environmental groups since first being announced in 2018, while also sparking a row with rival developers at the neighbouring Newcastle Great Park.
Newcastle given FFP boost by Premier League as club to bank more millions in TV money
Newcastle United are in line for a boost in Premier League television money ahead of what promises to be a busy summer.
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Newcastle's rise up the table, which has seen the Magpies' games selected more regularly for broadcast, means the club stand to earn substantially more in UK TV money than last season when Howe's side banked more than £18.5m in facility fees and a merit payment of almost £17m for finishing 11th.
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