BBC News Tyne & Wear

A third government bailout has been granted to help the Tyne and Wear Metro keep running while passenger numbers remain low during the pandemic.

The rail service was given £16.2m in May to help with the impact of the crisis, following warnings it was facing financial ruin.

It has now secured £8.5m of further funding, bringing the total to £24.7m.

Operator Nexus said the "vital" money would help to sustain its services until the end of October.

Its chief operating officer, Martin Kearney, said: "The Covid-19 crisis has had a major impact on Metro journeys and they remain about 40% of what we would normally expect.

BBC

Images have revealed how five Newcastle bridges could look if controversial plans to ban traffic on rat runs go ahead have been released.

Newcastle City Council is set to close five crossings in residential neighbourhoods to vehicles from next Thursday, in an effort to cut pollution and create safer space for walking and cycling.

The affected sites will be; Salters Bridge in Gosforth, Castle Farm Road next to Jesmond Dene, Haldane Bridge in Jesmond, the Argyle Street Bridge near Manors Metro station, and Stoneyhurst Bridge in South Gosforth.

However, the move has sparked controversy with locals in some areas concerned that cutting off access will lead to congestion on surrounding roads.

Newcastle City Council

Newcastle City Council

Newcastle City Council

The council said the five closures were being imposed under "experimental orders", and there would be a public consultation in six months' time.

Firefighters are tackling a blaze near allotments in Sunderland.

Three crews arrived at the scene just after midday, close to the junction of Southwick Road.

Due to a lot of smoke people have been encouraged to avoid the area.