Students from 12 schools in the Northern Lights Learning Trust – across Teesside and Wearside -travelled to Westminster last month for a visit to the Houses of Parliament.

The trip coincided with the visit of Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky, who was in London to discuss the UK’s ongoing support for Ukraine with MPs.

Summer and Alfie of Grange Primary School (Image: Supplied)

Leanne Yates, who leads the Trust Pupil Parliament, said: “It was inspiring to watch our young people so fully engaged in the experience.

“They represented their schools with maturity, enthusiasm and curiosity, and it was wonderful to see them embracing the opportunity to learn more about how our democracy works.”

The Trust Pupil Parliament brings together two representatives from each Northern Lights Learning Trust school, and this year, their work focuses on the value of community.

During the London visit, pupils took part in a guided tour of the Palace of Westminster and an interactive workshop.

Leo and Lara of Holley Park Academy (Image: Supplied)

They explored the building’s history, artwork, and architecture, and witnessed a live debate in the House of Commons.

Joshua, from Firthmoor Primary School in Darlington, said: “I really loved the robing room because we got to walk in the steps of King Charles.”

The group was joined by Jonathan Brash, MP for Hartlepool, who praised both the pupils and those who support them.

Mr Brash said: “Behind every confident question was the dedication of teachers, support staff, and families who nurture that curiosity and belief.

“It’s a real testament to the incredible work happening in classrooms across the North East.”

She said: “The entire group were fantastic ambassadors for their schools and the Trust.

“The visit offered an unforgettable insight into democracy, leadership and civic responsibility – an experience that will stay with our pupils for years to come.”

The schools in the Northern Lights Learning Trust include Benedict Biscop CE Academy, Dame Dorothy Primary School, Firthmoor Primary School, Grange Primary School, Hart Primary School, Holley Park Academy, Ian Ramsey CE Academy, St Aidan’s CE Academy, St Helen’s Primary School, St Peter’s Elwick CE Primary School, Tilery Primary School, and Venerable Bede CE Academy.

Joe Cole has backed Mikel Arteta to start 16-year-old Max Dowman in Arsenal’s potential Premier League title decider against Manchester City but says Viktor Gyokeres should be dropped.

The Gunners travel to the Etihad Stadium on Sunday to take on Man City in the biggest game of the Premier League season.

Arsenal, chasing a first league title since 2004, boast a six-point lead over Pep Guardiola’s side but Man City’s game in hand means the title is effectively in both club’s hands.

Arsenal missed the chance to move 12 points clear of their title rivals on Saturday as they slipped to a potentially damaging 2-1 defeat at home to Bournemouth.

Manchester City still had to take advantage to keep the title race alive and did so impressively, thumping Chelsea 3-0 at Stamford Bridge.

A goalless draw with Sporting on Wednesday night means Arsenal have won just one of their last five games in all competitions.

But that was enough to send Mikel Arteta’s team through to the Champions League semi-finals courtesy of a 1-0 aggregate win over Portuguese champions Sporting.

It was another underwhelming performance from Arsenal in the final third, with Arteta’s side creating just one shot on target.

Arteta’s £64m summer signing Gyokeres was subbed off for Kai Havertz with over half an hour remaining and Cole believes the forwards should switch places at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday.

‘I think Mikel Arteta goes with Kai Havertz because you’re going to need to hold the ball up against Man City,’ Cole said on TNT Sports.

‘Viktor Gyokeres fluffed his lines tonight in terms of holding the ball up and that’s why he got dragged off. Havertz did that better and they looked a more composed team.’

Teenage sensation Dowman was introduced at a similar time as Havertz and Cole was impressed by his second-half cameo in the Champions League.

‘It would be a massive call [to start Dowman against Man City] but he is special, he’s clearly special,’ Cole added.

‘What he’s already done at the game at his age is incredible. He could start…

‘Arsenal were in a Champions League quarter-final tonight and Arteta turned to Dowman and that shows you the faith they have in him.

‘We might even see him on Sunday and that would be huge.’

Meanwhile, Arteta was full of praise for his Arsenal team after they reached back-to-back Champions League semi-finals for the first time ever.

‘It’s a massive moment,’ Arteta said. ‘To be part of those four teams [in the semi-finals] is great work.

‘It’s a great night. I’m very happy for all our people. We are making steps that haven’t been done at this club for 140 years.’

Arsenal have played Manchester City twice so far this season, drawing 1-1 at the Emirates Stadium in the Premier League and losing 2-0 in the Carabao Cup final at Wembley.

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It didn’t feel like Arsenal had just qualified for only their second Champions League semi-final in 17 years. The final whistle came with overwhelming but cautious relief rather than ecstasy; the feeling that Arsenal had got away with one by the skin of their teeth, but next time they won’t be so fortunate.

Had Joao Simoes 94th-minute effort crept a few inches to the left, this last-eight tie was heading to extra time. That would’ve been catastrophic for Arsenal’s physical state ahead of their biggest game of the season on Sunday. In their current mental state, Arsenal progression would not have been a safe bet.

Mikel Arteta made a rallying cry in which he asked Arsenal’s supporters to come to the Emirates not with their dinner, but with “pure fire” and “zero fear” for the visit of Sporting. Fans struggled to comply. There was less a fire in their bellies, more a collective knot.

It was a stark comparison to this exact occasion 12 months ago. When Real Madrid came to town, there was an atmosphere unadulterated belief and optimism that this team could create magic. Maybe it helped that their Premier League title race had already been run at the time; Liverpool were 11 points clear, so their focus was streamlined.

But on this night, there was more than a tinge of anxiety in the air, a hangover from still being very much in the thick of a title race, and one that has a yellow flag being waved. Some were no longer allowing themselves to dream of the best, instead conditioned by three years of hurt to fearing the worst. “Please, enjoy where we are as a club,” Arteta said after the match, having asked for perspective of Arsenal’s position in major competitions before this game. It’s easier said than done.

This did not help a team of players who currently appear tortured by their own psyche. Arsenal were error-prone, especially at the back, with David Raya and William Saliba each gifting Sporting possession when unsuccessfully trying to play out from the back. It was Tottenham-esque at times.

Both blunders went unpunished; against the attacking quality of any other team in the last eight, probably barring Liverpool, things would’ve surely been different. But the concern is these aren’t isolated incidents in one match – Arsenal’s build-up from deep was hugely problematic against Bournemouth, too. A team previously heralded as one with the most resolute defence arguably in world football now looks shaky.

Such was the case for the best chance – the only real chance – of a pedestrian first-half. The culmination of a sweeping Sporting move that cut Arsenal open far too easily, Geny Catano was left completely untracked at the back post and volleyed Maximiliano Araujo’s dinked cross off the left post. On the brink of half-time, this tie should have been level.

That is not to say Sporting were playing a perfect game. They were similarly susceptible to an error (or eight) at the back; just Arsenal rarely looked like capitalising. Those meant to drive the hosts towards goal, like Noni Madueke, were frightened to take on a man as Arsenal overthought their opportunities until dispossession. Screams of “go forwards!”, often with an expletive, were ever-present.

When the Madueke finally did go through the gears, it fashioned Arsenal’s best chance of the game so far – darting across the box before firing into the side netting on 57 minutes. The Englishman turned a corner five minutes before he was forced off injured. “It was something in his knee so we had to take him off,” Arteta said.

The moment that encapsulated the difference in mindset between now and that famous night against Real Madrid a year ago, fittingly, came with a free-kick. Declan Rice, then the hero from the dead ball, was stood with the ball set 25 yards out – but played it short. Sporting quickly snuffed out the routine and countered. If not for the lung-besting recovery of left-winger Gabriel Martinelli down the right, the visitors were in. In diametric opposition to the Real encounter, even Arsenal’s game-changers looked scared to go for the spectacular.

But in response to any frustration about the performance, Rice’s response was emphatic. “Who cares what people think?” he told TNT Sports.

In a second half that saw Sporting gas, the visitors bookmarked the 45 with two close calls; first from Araujo three minutes after the restart, set up by Morten Hjulmand – an Arsenal fan and possible transfer target who has the club crest tattooed on his left bicep – and then Simoes with practically the last kick of the game.

Otherwise there was improvement to speak of from the hosts, who pressed a tiring team well and came close to killing the tie when Leandro Trossard hit the post with seven minutes to play. He was found at the back post by Max Dowman, who replaced Madueke and did provide the spark that had some arguing for him to start this match. A bright finish could instil a bit of confidence, even if a late scare will leave them wiping their brow.

Between the 67th minute and the game’s final moment, Arsenal didn’t allow Sporting a shot nor a touch in their box. One of their specialties this season has been holding onto slender leads. Arteta trusts them to do this but still wouldn’t mind making things more comfortable. “I do [trust my players with one-goal leads,” he says, “but I prefer to score the goal.”

This time, Arteta’s men managed to survive. In keeping with their first-leg display in Lisbon, they emerged from the night having done what was required and nothing more.

But heading to the Etihad, it is imperative they clear the mental fog that comes with the possibility of repeated failure. Against this Manchester City team in a ruthless vein of form, the question of whether they can emerge unscathed while still racked by such anxiety seems to answer itself.

Hello and welcome to our coverage of this Champions League quarter-final second-leg game between Bayern Munich and Real Madrid at the Allianz Arena.

When Harry Kane doubled Bayern’s lead within 20 seconds of the second half in last week’s first leg in Spain, Real looked on the verge of collapse. Luiz Diaz had already handed Vincent Kompany’s side the advantage with a composed 41st-minute finish, before Kane swept in Bayern’s second. 

The Santiago Bernabeu became a cauldron of despair and anxiety. Still, Real, inspired by Jude Bellingham’s introduction from the bench, rallied as Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Junior both came close to scoring. Trent Alexander-Arnold eventually set up Mbappe with a brilliant cross, and the French forward tapped in from close range to halve the deficit, leaving the tie delicately balanced. 

Unsurprisingly, Bayern are cruising to the Bundesliga title. They smashed St Pauli 5-0 at the weekend, extending their unbeaten league run to ten matches, while also breaking the record for the most Bundesliga goals scored in a single season. Jamal Musiala’s early header was Bayern’s 101st league goal, equalling the record they set in the 1971/72 campaign. The full-time result ensured that the German powerhouse have now scored 105 goals in 29 Bundesliga games this season.

Bayern’s overwhelming domestic superiority meant that Kane and Aleksander Pavlovic were unused substitutes against St Pauli. Other key players such as Diaz, Michael Olise, Joshua Kimmich, Josip Stanisic, and Jonathan Tah all either started on the bench or were withdrawn in the second half. Serge Gnabry missed the match but is ready to return. The free-scoring Germans are well rested and overflowing with confidence, and look like serious contenders for this season’s Champions League.

Meanwhile, Real Madrid’s stuttering domestic campaign was dealt another blow at the weekend as Alvaro Arbeloa’s men drew 1-1 against Girona in LaLiga at the Bernabeu. Federico Valverde powered Real into a 51st-minute lead, before Thomas Lemar netted an equaliser. Barcelona’s commanding 4-1 victory over Espanyol meant that the Catalans extended their LaLiga advantage to nine points. With just eight league fixtures remaining, Real have seemingly allowed the title to escape their grasp.

Only a Champions League trophy can rescue what has been a hugely disappointing season for the Spanish giants. However, they’ll need a win in Germany over Bayern to have any chance of progressing into the semi-finals. 

Kick-off is at 20:00, with team news to follow shortly. 

The M66 southbound is closed between the A56/A676 (Edenfield) and J1 (Walmersley) due to a serious collision and flooding on the carriageway.

National Highways Traffic Officers and Area Teams are on scene working to clear the flood water.

The barrier damage will be assessed and repaired once the flood water has cleared. 

Diversion Route 

Road users are advised to follow the hollow triangle diversion symbol on road signs:

• Leave the A56 southbound at the A56/A676 roundabout at Edenfield and take the 2nd exit onto the A56 heading south. 
• Turn right at the Wood Lane, Whalley Road junction to remain on the A56 and follow for approx. 2 miles.
• Continue to the M66 J1 and turn left to rejoin the M66 and continue your journey. 

A spokesman for National Highways said: “If this closure impacts on your planned route, please allow extra journey time. Plan ahead, you may wish to re-route or even delay your journey. 

“Further information is available from National Highways by visiting our  www.trafficengland.com website and travel apps, or via our regional X feed. Our 24/7 contact centre team is also available to provide up to the minute information on 0300 123 5000. ”

The Met Office says some parts of the UK could see hail and thunder on Thursday as it warns weather conditions will remain changeable before easing over the weekend

The Met Office says some parts of the UK face hail and thunder on Thursday.

The national weather service warned that conditions will remain changeable over the coming days before turning drier over the weekend. While rain is expected to clear eastwards on Wednesday evening, showers will continue overnight elsewhere, falling heaviest and most frequently in the northwest.

In its forecast for Thursday, the Met Office said some parts of the UK could even face hail and thunder. The forecast for tomorrow states: “A bright and breezy day, with sunny spells and showers. Showers most frequent in the north, some heavy with the risk of hail and thunder. Feeling warm in the sunshine.”

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The BBC forecast for tomorrow suggests showers will come in the north-west. It states: “Tomorrow will see variable cloud across the UK along with a few showers in places, these more frequent in the north-west. Cloud building in the south and far west later on. A less windy day.”

Thursday will be a “showery day” across Scotland, particularly in the west, and parts of northern England, Met Office meteorologist Alex Deakin said. Another weather system could bring outbreaks of rain, particularly to Wales by the afternoon, before spreading to Northern Ireland, western England and much of Scotland by the evening.

Much of East Anglia and the southeast is expected to stay dry and bright for much of the day. Despite the spells of rain, temperatures will remain mild across the country.

The Met Office says outbreaks of rain are forecast to move slowly eastwards through Friday and into early Saturday. High pressure is then expected to build, bringing a drier and brighter weekend.

Looking towards next week and beyond, the Met Office says high pressure to the north or northeast of the UK will bring “plenty of dry weather and sunny spells for most”.

The outlook for April 20 to April 29 states: “Low pressure in the Atlantic will try to push weather fronts towards the UK from the south west, but these may remain slow moving. Some parts of the east coast could be on the chilly side with low cloud and onshore breeze, but further west it will likely feel quite warm, especially in sunnier areas.

“From next weekend and into the start of the following week, there are signs that more unsettled weather could return for a time, bringing rain or showers to some areas.”

The showers forecast for the UK on Thursday come as much of Europe, particularly Italy and the Balkans, has been hit by stormy weather over the past few days. According to BBC Weather, the frontal system is expected to move steadily southwards, bringing improving conditions to those areas on Thursday.

St Peter’s School’s application for the multi-use games area (MUGA) at the south east edge of its Clifton campus was approved by York Council’s Planning Committee on Monday, April 13.

School Director of Operations Giles Roberts told councillors the facilities would improve the health and wellbeing of pupils and reduced operating hours and noise complaints procedures had been agreed to.

But Tim Bradbury, who lives in North Parade which backs on to the area proposed for the pitch, said it would lead to a substantial intensification of use close to people’s homes.

Plans from the private school, which is the fourth-oldest in the world, were first lodged in December.

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It is set to see an artificial pitch built with markings for sports including football, netball and tennis, the details of which will be decided at a later date.

Monday’s meeting heard it would take around four to six weeks to build the pitch which would not be flood-lit or open to use beyond the school.

Councillors put conditions to try and control the noise from ball strikes and to prevent the pitch being offered for outside use.

The school’s plans stated the MUGA was for use by pupils in years seven and eight who currently lack pitches elsewhere on it is site,

It would be available for them to practice on from 8am to 7pm, Monday to Friday and from 9am to 4pm on Saturdays.

The pitch would be closed on Sundays and bank holidays.

Councillors heard no competitive sports fixtures would be held at the MUGA as the sport had already had facilities for them elsewhere in its grounds.

Council planning officers recommended approving the plans ahead of Monday’s meeting.

But objections were lodged, including from Labour ward councillors Danny Myers and Margaret Wells, over noise concerns and claiming predictions about the effects were not robust enough.

St Peter’s School in Clifton (Image: Pic supplied)

North Parade resident Mr Bradbury said the pitch would be built immediately behind homes there.

The resident said: “This is not a sports pitch, its an all-weather playground behind neighbour’s homes.

“It’s turning this area into a facility that will be used repeatedly, all day, every day, all-year round.

“As a former assistant head teacher at a secondary school I can tell you the noise from children using a space informally is different to supervised children in lessons or at matches.”

School Director of Operations Mr Roberts said there was a hedge, a path and brick wall between the pitch and homes which would help dampen noise.

The director said: “This will serve the existing school community and there will be no flood lights on the pitch.

“This will deliver improved sports and recreational facilities for our pupils with appropriate safeguards in place.”

The plans follow the withdrawal of an application lodged in 2022 for flood-lit hockey pitches, tennis and netball courts and cricket nets.

The school pulled the plans, which also included a 126-seat spectator stand and car and coach parking, in February 2024 after hundreds of objections.

Thousands of pills and kilos of suspected MDMA powder were found in the vehicle

A huge haul of drugs were uncovered after a van was stopped on the M62. Officers from Merseyside Police carried out an operation on the motorway near Prescott on Tuesday (April 14).

At around 7.20pm, officers from the force’s Matrix Roads Policing Unit stopped a Ford Transit Van at Junction 7. The stop was carried out with the intention of checking documentation, Merseyside Police said.

During the stop, officers uncovered multiple kilos of suspected MDMA powder and thousands of suspected MDMA pills. The suspected drugs were seized to be forensically analysed.

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The driver, a 41-year-old man from the Crosby area, was arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply class A drugs and disqualified driving.

A police spokesperson said: “As part of a joint operation involving Matrix and Operation Medusa, we have arrested a man and seized large quantities of suspected MDMA following a stop check on the M62 yesterday, Tuesday 14 April.

“At around 7.20pm, officers from our Matrix Roads Policing Unit stop checked a Ford Transit van at Junction 7 of the M62, with the intention of checking documentation.

“During the course of the stop, multiple kilos of suspected MDMA powder (below) and thousands of suspected MDMA pills (above) were seized from the van. These will be forensically analysed.

“The driver, a 41-year-old man from Crosby, was arrested on suspicion of Possession with intent to supply Class A drugs and Disqualified driving. He was taken into custody for questioning.”

The Hays Travel team, made up of 13 staff, set themselves the challenge of walking 900 miles—roughly the length of the Rockies—on an in-store treadmill throughout March to raise funds for the Great Aycliffe Cancer Support Group.

They exceeded their target by walking a total of 1,126 miles, raising £1,389 for the charity.

Rebecca Labron, assistant manager at Hays Travel Bishop Auckland, said: “We chose this charity as cancer has affected us in many different ways.

“We really wanted to do something to help Great Aycliffe Cancer Support Group as they offer so many services to people going through such a hard time.

“They offer free patient transport to hospital appointments, chemotherapy and radiotherapy bags, support groups, and breaks for patients and their families.”

Ms Labron said the group is particularly challenged by rising fuel costs.

She said: “They are currently being hit with the cost of fuel prices, as they rely on volunteer drivers for their ever-expanding transport service.

“By raising this money, we can make a real difference to the charity and help with some of their costs.

“Allison and her team really are amazing people and are worth their weight in gold.”

Allison White, founder of the Great Aycliffe Cancer Support Group, said: “We are incredibly grateful to Hays Travel for raising such a fantastic amount of money for Great Aycliffe Cancer Support Group.

“Every penny will go directly towards supporting local cancer patients, helping us provide free patient transport to hospital appointments and vital support services for families across County Durham and Darlington.”

Hays Travel is the UK’s largest independent travel agent and supports community fundraising through its Local Community Partnership scheme.

Each branch receives a £500 annual budget to support charitable activities, with funds split between youth mental health causes and charities of the branch’s choice.

Over the past year, the national scheme has contributed nearly £170,000 to good causes across the UK.