Gainford

'Small schools are hearts of their communities'

A north-east England academy trust says it has no plans to close schools despite low pupil numbers.

A car's fire engine transformation and a Sunderland slant on the Mercury Prize make news this week.

From a four-year-old novice pianist, Llewelyn Blezard-Greenwell is now off to St David's Cathedral.

Jacob Rutkowski died after getting into difficulty in the River Tees, police say.

Police say formal identification is yet to take place but the man's family has been informed.

The move is part of a £155m project to replace ageing water pipes in Durham and Tees Valley.

Grade I listed Gainford Hall has undergone a major restoration and is now available to rent.