BBC Local Live: North East England

An award which recognises "teaching of the highest quality" is being welcomed by 56 colleges across the UK - including Middlesbrough.

After a review of education standards, the Government's first Teaching Excellence Framework awards gave Middlesbrough College the highest grade.

An independent panel of academics, students and employer representatives deemed the College to be performing above national demands. Teaching quality, the learning environment and student's professional outcomes were amongst the issues looked in to during the review.

The achievement has been welcomed by College Principal and Chief Executive Zoe Lewis, who says it will help students decide which college to join in the future.

Quote Message: It's a real reflection of the talent, effort and commitment our Middlesbrough College staff put in to making this one of the best places to study in the country".

It's a real reflection of the talent, effort and commitment our Middlesbrough College staff put in to making this one of the best places to study in the country".

Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images

Work is set to begin on a clean up operation after the Penshaw Monument was defaced by vandals armed with black spray paint.

Sunderland EchoCopyright: Sunderland Echo

A burglar has been sentenced to 12 months behind bars after breaking into a house and falling asleep after helping himself to chicken and cider.

Dry and clear at first, but cloud increasing after midnight with some outbreaks of rain spreading in before dawn.

The rain may become locally heavy over the Pennines.

Southwest winds freshening later in the night.

BBCCopyright: BBC

To check the weather where you are, head to the BBC Weather page.

HoCCopyright: HoC

The new Conservative MP for Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland, Simon Clarke, is giving his maiden speech.

He says it's fitting that his constituency produced Captain Cook as the UK prepares to go on a journey of discovery after Brexit.

He says he is "passionate about helping people to help themselves" and that's something he wants to pursue on behalf of constituents.

Police say they've discovered a cannabis farm in North Shields with a street value of up to £500,000.

About 2,000 plants were found in the basement of an abandoned warehouse on Union Road yesterday morning.

One person has been arrested and bailed.

Northumbria PoliceCopyright: Northumbria Police

Quote Message: This is a considerable amount of cannabis that we can only assume was meant to be sold on, and thanks to the investigative work of our officers , it is now off our streets".

This is a considerable amount of cannabis that we can only assume was meant to be sold on, and thanks to the investigative work of our officers , it is now off our streets".

Quote Message: "The cultivation of cannabis on this scale is closely linked to other organised criminal activity. As such, we will continue to target the people responsible for these farms as well as the so-called farmers". from Detective Inspector Jon Bensley Northumbria Police

"The cultivation of cannabis on this scale is closely linked to other organised criminal activity. As such, we will continue to target the people responsible for these farms as well as the so-called farmers".

The project manager at Northumbrian Water will be enjoying this year's Glastonbury Festival as a volunteer with the Loo Crew.

David Groark, from County Durham, will work six-hour shifts cleaning festival toilets, supporting WaterAid's Water Fight campaign that aims for every child to have clean water and a decent toilet.

He says he's looking forward to the festival atmosphere, as well as chatting to revellers about the work of WaterAid:

Quote Message: I’m delighted to be part of this year’s Loo Crew down at Glastonbury. When I’m not volunteering, I’m looking forward to discovering some new bands and seeing some more well-known artists and shows too. I’m particularly looking forward to seeing the Foo Fighters, Radiohead, Kate Tempest and our own North East artists; the Young‘uns and Nadine Shah."

I’m delighted to be part of this year’s Loo Crew down at Glastonbury. When I’m not volunteering, I’m looking forward to discovering some new bands and seeing some more well-known artists and shows too. I’m particularly looking forward to seeing the Foo Fighters, Radiohead, Kate Tempest and our own North East artists; the Young‘uns and Nadine Shah."

BBCCopyright: BBC

Today marks the half-way point for Paul Suggit.

The self-confessed "couch potato" is walking, running and cycling a total of 10,000 miles over the course of 12 months.

Paul has designed the mammoth challenge to fit around his working life to show that no matter the size of a dream, it's possible to achieve.

Quote Message: Everything that impacts your life can be figured out to help you achieve your goal if you really want it. We often let things stand in our way and this doesn’t need to be so. With a little planning and figuring out, we can all achieve our dreams and realise our ideas."

Everything that impacts your life can be figured out to help you achieve your goal if you really want it. We often let things stand in our way and this doesn’t need to be so. With a little planning and figuring out, we can all achieve our dreams and realise our ideas."

The challenge is also to raise awareness of the Chris Lucas Trust, which funds research into Rhabdomyosarcoma - an aggressive childhood cancer.

One of Durham Police's drug dogs sustained a leg injury on shift earlier this morning.

Luckily, Lottie appears happy on this photo taken at the vets - despite the dressing on her leg.

Sympathetic Twitter users have sent their support for Lottie to Durham Police's K9 account:

The former boss of a Darlington adoptions agency for vulnerable youngsters has been jailed for six years and eight months after being found guilty of four sexual assault charges.

Northern EchoCopyright: Northern Echo

The charter that was drafted to bring peace between King John and a group of barons is to be displayed at Durham Cathedral.

This month marks 800 years since it was signed.

It will be on show as part of the multimillion-pound Open Treasure exhibition, which aims to re-imagine the way visitors can enjoy the cathedral.

Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images

The locations and details of all ancient hill forts in the UK and Ireland have been mapped in an online database for the first time.

Scientists found 4,147 sites - ranging from well-preserved forts to those where only crop marks are left.

In England, Northumberland leads the way with 271 hill forts, while in the Republic of Ireland, Mayo and Cork each have more than 70 sites.

Nearly 40% are in Scotland, with 408 in the Scottish Borders alone.

PACopyright: PA