WATCH: Your latest news headlines from Newcastle on Friday, November 19

The North East is set to receive £1.7 million from the Culture Recovery Fund.

The fund was set up to help cultural organisations recover from the effects of the pandemic and places like the Tyneside Cinema could see some of the cash dished out.

Meanwhile, council bosses are confident of securing government funds to finally restore the Tyne Bridge.

Last month the original bid was excluded from Rishi Sunak’s budget but local leaders continue to look for other ways to find the funding and they have said they are continuing to lobby the government for it.

Newcastle’s council leader has slammed misinformation about the plans to pedestrianise Blackett Street - and claims it is being spread by opponents of the plans.

The plans have come under criticism from bus operators who have claimed closing off the busy route through the city would make it harder for passengers to reach the centre of Newcastle.