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Hello and welcome to the breaking news blog for Monday October 28, 2019.

We will be bringing you regular updates throughout the day of all the breaking news and sport.

Metro services are back on between Monument - Brockley Whins but are still suspended between Pelaw and Jarrow due to a fallen overhead cable at Hebburn.

A replacement bus service has been set up and passengers can use some local bus services.

There is no estimated time yet for when the Metro will be back to full service.

It’s Kathryn Riddell here and I’ll be keeping you updated on what’s going on across the North East including the latest on the roads.

If you would like to get in touch with us today about any breaking news, here are my details: 

Phone: 0191 201 6107

Email: kathryn.riddell@reachplc.com

Twitter: @KathrynRiddell

You can reach the ChronicleLive newsdesk on 0191 201 6446 and to get breaking news sent straight to your phone, download the free ChronicleLive app here.

Have a good night

I’m signing off now but I’ll leave you with some of the latest news stories tonight.

  1. Homes and businesses left without water all day around Newcastle Quayside after two major bursts
  2. Power cut leaves mourners in the dark with pub unable to serve food or alcohol at wake
  3. MPs say ‘no’ to a December General Election - but Boris Johnson will try again on Tuesday
  4. Mike Ashley’s letter to MP telling her to probe Debenhams collapse
  5. ‘I wanted him to keep his chin up’ - the NUFC ball boy whose thumbs up to Miguel Almiron went viral
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MPs say 'no' to a December General Election for now

The House of Commons has failed to support Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s call to hold a general election.

But Mr Johnson will try again on Tuesday - and this time he will have more chance of success.

Mr Johnson urged MPs to back his proposal for a general election on December 12, saying that the House of Commons wasn’t currently capable of making decisions because none of the parties have a majority.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson
Prime Minister Boris Johnson

He said: “I simply do not believe that this House is capable of delivering on the priorities of the people, whether that means Brexit or anything else.”

Latest from Parliament here.

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Woman arrested after man 'stabbed' in house in West Denton

A woman has been arrested after a man was stabbed in Newcastle.

Police were called to an address on Darden Lough in West Denton shortly after 7.30pm on Saturday to reports that a man had been assaulted.

When officers arrived, they found that the man had suffered injuries consistent with a stabbing.

The 45-year-old was taken to hospital where he remains in a stable condition and his injuries are not believed to be life-threatening.

Darden Lough in West Denton
Darden Lough in West Denton (Image: newcastle chronicle)

A 50-year-old woman has been arrested in connection with the assault and has been released on bail.

A spokeswoman for Northumbria Police said: “Enquiries into the circumstances around the incidents are ongoing.

“Anyone with any information is asked to call police on 101 quoting log 921 26/10/19 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”

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Crash on A19 closes lane

One lane has been closed due to a crash on the A19 between the A1018 at Seaham and the A690 Durham Road (Sunderland).

Lane one (of two) is closed.

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Metro running between Jarrow and South Shields

The Metro service suspension is now limited between Pelaw and Jarrow.

There is still a bus replacement, the number 900, running in the affected area.

Trains between Jarrow and South Shields are now able to run again.

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Ten issues raised by Newcastle's first ten games

Newcastle United are ten games into the season and there are more questions than answers for the club.

Steve Bruce took over hoping to make an immediate impact but aside from memorable victories over Spurs and Manchester United, there have been worrying signs for Newcastle. He’ll hope to continue making progress but an admission on Sunday that this season could be a slog let slip that this is a team in transition and a club still struggling to get over a turbulent close season.

Here are ten issues raised by the first ten games.

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Quorum Business Park sold in multimillion-pound deal

Quorum, one of the UK’s biggest business parks, has been sold in a deal believed to be worth as much as £40m.

London based asset management group Shelborn has taken over management and ownership of around 50% of the office park, which has more than 1m square feet of space in total and is home to blue chip companies and major employers including Balfour Beatty, Greggs, Engie, Tesco Bank and Insure the Box.

Quroum Business Park
Quroum Business Park (Image: Broadoak)

The far reaching deal sees Shelborn – which incorporated new company Shelborn Quorum Ltd in September – purchase around 50% of the property, with the rest of the park having been snapped up in a series of multimillion-pound deals over the last few years.

Read more on the sale.

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Halloween trail Phobia invades Newcastle Racecourse

Halloween is now just a few days away and there’s a brand new event that is making a frightening first impression on Geordies this year.

A teaser for Phobia was released early on in the summer but the brand new scarefest has now well and truly invaded Newcastle Racecourse with terrifying results!

Plenty of people have headed to the Racecourse so far ready to take on whatever horrors await them.

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Homes and businesses around Quayside left without water all day

Homes and business around the Newcastle Quayside have been left without water all day after two major bursts.

Northumbrian Water has been carrying out repairs on Dean Street in the city centre since 8.15am on Monday after water supply problems were reported earlier in the morning.

A number of homes in the NE1 area have been left without a water supply and some businesses have been unable to open as normal.

The Pizza Express restaurant on Dean Street was closed at lunchtime due to a lack of water and the BrewDog bar has also been unable to open.

The Bessie Surtees historical house on the Quayside was also closed all day.

Workers were able to isolate the first burst within two hours, but a second burst was then found.

Emergency repair work has been going on for several hours with no estimated time for water to be restored.

Engineers have also been working on Queen Street close to the Tyne Bridge as part of the investigation.

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Water bottle station set up

Northumbrian Water is still trying to restore water supplies to homes and business around the Quayside after water main bursts.

A water bottle station will be set up at the Marco Polo restaurant in Dean Street where bottles of water can be collected from 9.30pm.

It is not known when water supplies will be back on.

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Sunderland road resurfacing

A lane will be closed on the A690 Durham Road in Sunderland due to resurfacing work.

This is from the A690 (Barnes Roundabout) to Thornholme Road.

The road is due to fully reopen on Wednesday morning.

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Strictly's Chris Ramsey reveals bizarre dream about dancer

Strictly Come Dancing star Chris Ramsey has opened up about being on the show has led to him having some VERY bizarre dreams.

South Shields comedian Chris was back in action in the Strictly ballroom on Saturday night, when he and professional partner Karen Hauer performed a samba to Backstreet Boy’s Everybody for Halloween week.

And, while they finished at the bottom of the leaderboard, with a score of just 23 from judges Bruno, Craig, Motsi and Shirley, they avoided the dance-off, with Catherine Tyldesley controversially being sent home after losing out to Mike Bushell.

The nightmare of a ballroom exit didn’t happen for Chris, but during Sunday night’s results show he revealed to host Claudia Winkleman that he’d been having some strange Strictly dreams.

As you can see in the video above, Chris is happy to admit “it’s took over my life; it’s in my head constantly,” before spilling the beans on one dream involving pro Anton Du Beke being in his bedroom!

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National and local news stories

Some of today’s latest news stories.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson
Prime Minister Boris Johnson
  1. MPs say ‘no’ to a December General Election - but Boris Johnson will try again on Tuesday
  2. ‘I wanted him to keep his chin up’ - the NUFC ball boy whose thumbs up to Miguel Almiron went viral
  3. Will it snow this winter? Here’s what the Met Office predicts for the North East
  4. World’s biggest treehouse burns down - meaning Alnwick Treehouse is now the largest
  5. Man trapped at the top of 270ft Dixon’s Chimney in Carlisle has died
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A19 works overnight

The A19 will be closed northbound overnight from the A194 Lindisfarne onslip to the A185 Jarrow (Tyne Tunnel) junction.

This is for works on the A19 widening project.

The road will reopen at 6am.

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Metro still off between Pelaw and South Shields

A replacement bus service is still running for the Tyne And Wear Metro between Pelaw and South Shields due to a fallen overhead line at Hebburn.

Trains elsewhere on the network are still running but could be delayed.

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All lanes reopen on A1

All lanes are now open on the A1 south near Durham after earlier road management works.

This was from junction 61 A688 Tursdale Road (Bowburn) to junction 60 A689 (Bradbury).

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Alnwick Treehouse is now the largest after biggest burns down

The world’s biggest treehouse has burned down - which means the one in Alnwick is now the largest.

The 97ft structure in Crossville, Tennessee, created by Harold Burgess, was destroyed after a fire last Tuesday, reports the New York Times .

Officials said it took about 15 minutes for the treehouse - which was loved by many across the world - to become a pile of ash.

Alnwick Treehouse
Alnwick Treehouse (Image: Birmingham Post and Mail)

Firefighters received a call at their station at around 10.30pm and could see flames against the dark sky, it was said.

More on the Alnwick Treehouse.

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Island crossing times

It is safe now to make the crossing over to Holy Island.

It will stay safe to use the causeway road until 12.15am.

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Roadworks on A1 near Durham

One lane has been closed on the A1 south near Durham due to road management work.

This is from junction 61 A688 Tursdale Road (Bowburn) to junction 60 A689 (Bradbury).

Traffic is coping well. Lane one (of two) and the hard shoulder are closed.

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NUFC under-23s match and more

Aftermath of the 1-1 draw with Wolves yesterday and more Newcastle United news.

Florian Lejeune controls the ball during the Newcastle United Training Session at the Newcastle United Training Centre on October 02, 2019 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by Serena Taylor/Newcastle United via Getty Images)
Florian Lejeune controls the ball during the Newcastle United Training Session at the Newcastle United Training Centre on October 02, 2019 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by Serena Taylor/Newcastle United via Getty Images) (Image: Newcastle United via Getty Image)
  1. Newcastle United U23s vs Middlesbrough U23s LIVE: Florian Lejeune to make return after injury
  2. What the 10 Premier League managers that have faced Newcastle United are saying about Steve Bruce’s side
  3. The scouting reports that convinced Newcastle on Joelinton, and why it’s not happening for him yet
  4. The truth behind those shock Newcastle United links with Papiss Cisse
  5. Newcastle handed major fitness boost with Florian Lejeune returning for under-23s
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Will it snow this winter? Met Office predictions

With temperatures falling across the region, many are asking this question - is it going to snow this winter?

Heavy snow in Allendale, Northumberland, after temperatures dipped below freezing overnight
Heavy snow in Allendale, Northumberland, after temperatures dipped below freezing overnight (Image: PA)

The Met Office says it very difficult to predict exactly what will happen over the next few months however they have told us what people can expect until the end of November.

The overall picture is of wet, windy and cold weather, with a potential for snow on higher ground towards the end of November.

The average temperature for the coming month is likely to be 9C.

This is their full forecast.

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Blyth crash reported

There has been a report of a crash on the A189 in Blyth heading north.

Two vehicles have crashed just before the A193 exit slip road.

Traffic is able to use the slip road to get past.

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Sunny day after cold start

It will be a chilly start tomorrow.

This will develop into an often sunny day with various cloud and some showers.

Still feeling on the cool side with onshore breezes then there will be clear spells with a frost overnight.

Maximum temperature 10C.

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Boris Johnson calls for election after Brexit flextension

Boris Johnson has said the House of Commons is “incapable” of delivering Brexit as he urged MPs to back his plan for a pre-Christmas general election.

The Prime Minister’s rallying cry came as he confirmed the UK’s “formal agreement” to the EU extending Britain’s membership until January 31 - unless Parliament ratifies his Brexit deal sooner.

With his pledge to take Britain out of the EU by the end of this month in tatters, Mr Johnson called on MPs to back his plan for a poll on December 12 - which would provide time to pass the Withdrawal Agreement Bill before the campaign starts.

Mr Johnson said: “Across the country there is a widespread view that this Parliament has run its course.

“I simply do not believe that this House is capable of delivering on the priorities of the people, whether that means Brexit or anything else.”

Prime Minister Boris Johnson speaks in the House of Commons, London, after judges at the Supreme Court ruled that his advice to the Queen to suspend Parliament for five weeks was unlawful
Prime Minister Boris Johnson speaks in the House of Commons, London, after judges at the Supreme Court ruled that his advice to the Queen to suspend Parliament for five weeks was unlawful (Image: PA)

The motion, laid under the Fixed-Term Parliaments Act (FTPA), would require a two-thirds Commons majority - 434 MPs - to agree to an election on December 12.

Jeremy Corbyn said Labour would not agree to anything until it is “clear and concrete exactly what is being proposed” - but that the party would “consider carefully” any legislation which “locks in” the date of an election. I

t comes amid Liberal Democrat and SNP moves for a poll on December 9.

European Council president Donald Tusk announced on Monday morning that the EU27 had agreed to accept the UK’s request for a Brexit “flextension” until January 31.

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The items desperately needed by the West End foodbank

A major campaign has been launched to raise funds for a foodbank that will help to feed thousands of people this winter.

The Newcastle West End Foodbank provides emergency supplies and support to those struggling financially. Its parcels feed an average of 2,000 people a month.

The West End Foodbank in Benwell
The West End Foodbank in Benwell (Image: Newcastle Chronicle)

Now Toon Aid, in partnership with the charity and NUFC Fans Foodbank, has launched a drive to help raise money to support the group.

You can see the full list of items needed.

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A1 traffic clears

Long delays have now cleared on the A1 south and traffic is easing after an earlier crash.

This had been causing queues from junction 61 at Bowburn to junction 60 for Bradbury.

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Business latest news

Some of our latest business news from our business team.

  1. Underwater drone lab launched at Newcastle University to make subsea robots
  2. Quorum Business Park is sold in multimillion-pound deal
  3. Gateshead’s Rosh Engineering buys new factory as part of expansion
  4. Newcastle challenger energy brand Breeze blows away competition in UK customer service league
  5. Newcastle Helix wins top real estate award for best collaboration
The Helix site in Newcastle
The Helix site in Newcastle (Image: newcastle chronicle)
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Busy after A1 crash

All lanes have reopened on the A1 south near Durham after an earlier crash.

However, there is still long delays on the road around junctions 60 and 62.

Rush hour traffic is adding to the delays from earlier.

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Man rescued from chimney top confirmed dead

A man’s body has been recovered from the top of a 270ft chimney in Carlisle after a complex emergency operation.

Police were first called at 2.22am on Monday to reports of a man trapped on the top of Dixon’s Chimney in the Cumbrian town, with fire and ambulances also scrambled to the scene.

Footage from the scene appeared to show a figure, upside down with his legs in the air, at the top of the chimney.

After around 14 hours, a specialist team using ropes and a cherry picker was able to winch the man down, but he was confirmed to have died.

Police vehicles block the road near to Dixon's Chimney in Carlisle, Cumbria
Police vehicles block the road near to Dixon's Chimney in Carlisle, Cumbria (Image: PA)

Police say they believe they know his identity and welfare officers are currently with his family.

A statement from Cumbria Police said: “Police can confirm that a man who was trapped at height on Dixon’s Chimney in Carlisle and later recovered during a multi-agency operation has been confirmed as deceased.

“Paramedics pronounced the man, in his 50s and from Carlisle, deceased at the scene at around 4.45pm.”

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£170m EuroMillions winner claims money

A ticket-holder from the UK who claimed the biggest ever EuroMillions jackpot has been paid their record-breaking winnings.

Lottery operator Camelot has confirmed the £170m prize has now been verified and the money paid, nearly three weeks after the draw on October 8.

A £170m-winning EuroMillions ticket was bought in the UK
A £170m-winning EuroMillions ticket was bought in the UK (Image: PA)

The winning ticket-holder has chosen to remain anonymous, meaning no details about where he or she was from, their age or their occupation will be revealed.

Andy Carter, senior winners’ adviser at The National Lottery, said: “What an amazing win - the biggest ever on The National Lottery.

“The team will now support and help guide the ticket-holder as they begin their adventure with this life-changing win.”

The ticket-holder scooped £170,221,000 after matching all five main numbers - 7, 10, 15, 44 and 49 - and the two lucky stars - 3, 12 - following the longest-ever series of rollovers.

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