The Treasury – a new bar and restaurant set to open in Whitby – has announced it will partner with Whitby Distillery when the venue opens to the public in Summer 2026.

The full range of Whitby Distillery’s spirits, including seasonal releases and limited editions, will be available at the new bar with its signature London Dry Gin made using locally foraged botanicals, including sugar kelp gathered from Whitby shores.

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Mark Appleton, general manager at The Treasury Whitby, said: “We are incredibly proud to partner with Whitby Distillery as our house pour gin.

“Whitby Distillery have created something truly special – a spirit that captures the character of our coastline – and their commitment to the community through the Whitby Lifeboat makes this collaboration even more meaningful.

“It’s a partnership rooted not only in quality, but in shared values.”

Co-founder of Whitby Distillery, Luke Pentith, and founder of The Treasury, Ali Hussain, also both volunteer with the RNLI Whitby Lifeboat Station – an organisation which the gin company raise money for through the sale of their spirits.

The landmark film and TV studio development now looks back on track as North East Mayor Kim McGuinness announces a £104m package to “turbocharge” the region’s creative industries.

The project, hoped to create thousands of jobs and bring blockbuster film production to the region, has been allocated £38.5 million as part of the push.

It is now hoped to be up and running by late 2027, with construction starting as early as this summer.

It comes just months after the project on the banks of the River Wear was thrown into doubt when private investors Cain International withdrew last June.

It forced Sunderland City Council to hire real estate firm CBRE to find new partners for the site last year – and saw Ms McGuiness ask Chancellor Rachel Reeves for more funding from the Government, which had already committed £25m.

But Mayor Kim McGuinness said the funding, which is set for approval at next week’s Cabinet, will prove that “if you have a creative dream,  you don’t need London to succeed”. 

Plans for the Crown Works studios development

The Northern Echo previously joined forced with papers across the region in 2024 to call on then Chancellor Jeremy Hunt to back the Crown Works – and he later hailed the plans as the biggest announcement for the area since Nissan came to Washington.

The vision for the vast £450m complex was originally led by FulwellCain, a joint venture between global entertainment company Fulwell 73 and Cain International, who had hoped to build 19 sound stages at the riverside site.

However, in 2025, the council revealed the proposals were being presented to the investment market, with the aim to find a final funder and developer.

Land preparation works next to the Northern Spire Bridge have already gotten underway following the plans being approved in 2024 – but no building work has begun.

The Northern Echo pushed then Chancellor Jeremy Hunt to back the Crown Works (Image: THE NORTHERN ECHO)

The first phase of construction will now begin in July, with the £38m figure including £11m recyclable funding, operational revenue support of £500k per year for five years and reconfirmation of £25m Trailblazer Devolution Deal funding first offered by the Government in 2024. 

Once open in late 2027, the studio will feature 125,000 sq ft of flexible space across a new ‘Studio One’ alongside the transformation of the existing Doxford Printworks building.

The Cabinet is also set to approve £24m to start work on a new 12,500-15,000 seat arena to rival Manchester and London at Gateshead Quays on the banks of the Tyne, where development has been stalled since the pandemic.

The on-site works will create a stand-alone platform for a new arena, a new performance square next to The Glasshouse International Centre for Music and a green linear park connecting the riverside to Baltic Quarter. 

And Mayor Kim McGuinness has also committed to spend millions more to back small venues across North East England, fund a diverse programme of festivals, events and sporting programmes, and provide financial support for local people to build their creative careers and businesses.

The investment marks the first major scheme since the Newcastle-Gateshead Mayoral Development Zone was created last year.

The £104m package also includes a £42m North East Culture, Creative Industries and Sport framework, backed by £25m from the combined authority’s integrated settlement, to develop grassroots talent, improve small venues, and boost access and participation across the region. 

The North East Culture, Creative Industries and Sport framework will be shaped by industry stakeholders to map the investment needed to sustainably grow the creative sector. 

Mayor Kim McGuinness said: “We’ve heard leading voices from Sam Fender to Jade talk about their pride in their north east roots and the huge barriers working class young people from the north face when trying to make it in music and film.

“I said in my manifesto I’d change that, and here’s the next big step – £104m backing both the inspirational big venues to the vital local space need for your first gig. 

“Last week we announced the skills funding to help you learn on the job, this week we’re backing more venues.

 “If you have a creative dream,  you don’t need London to succeed. We’ll prove that.”

Kim Tate’s (Claire King) nose was firmly put out of joint when deceased husband Graham Foster (Andrew Scarborough) returned from the dead in Emmerdale.

At the point of his death, Graham betrayed her by planning to run off with Rhona Goskirk (Zoe Henry). He faked his death as he knew Kim would never just let him be happy. Extreme.

Graham then rocked back up by literally popping out of the shadows and almost giving Kim a coronary, claiming he used his SAS training to fake his death and run off to Mexico to start a new life away from her.

Since Graham returned, Kim has been upping her feisty attitude to prove a point. That point is that she’s no longer in love with Graham, and that she very much does not want him in her life. Or does she?

Graham is well and truly under her skin – she’s allowed him to stay under roof despite all that he’s done, and her bark has well and truly lost its bite. Gotta say Kim, losing a bit of respect here.

It’ll soon become clear that he burrows under her skin even further after he gives Rhona an ultimatum that goes one of two ways. Graham is toying with Kim while trying to convince Joe Tate (Ned Porteous) that she is a bad apple.

But deep-down Kim isn’t stupid and recognises Graham’s games. She gets vulnerable with her only pal Lydia Dingle (Karen Blick) as she confesses her feelings and vows to remain closed off to Graham.

Joe is also getting fed up of Graham trying to turn him against Kim.

This only spurs Graham on, who decides to try harder to prove to Joe that Kim is evil incarnate.

He sinks to a new low in trying to grab Joe’s attention, but will it work or will he end up feeling the familiar wrath of Kim?

MORE: Graham makes an admission over Cain in Emmerdale while Joe seethes at Kim

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MORE: Cain brutally attacks Joe in early Emmerdale ITVX release sparking major warning from Graham

Police have yet to formally identify the body which was found in a river

A body has been recovered in a river while searching for a woman who was reported missing last month. Carol Hillier was reported as missing from Sutton in February, 22 days ago. Police have yet to make a formal identification.

Carol, 64, was first reported as a missing person on February 15. She was last seen near a pub, and Cambridgeshire Police has continued to investigate her disappearance.

A spokeswoman for Cambridgeshire Police said: “Police searching for missing woman Carol Hillier from Sandy in Bedfordshire recovered a body from the river at Sutton Gault yesterday (Sunday).

“Carol, 64, went missing on Sunday, 15 February near The Old Anchor pub off Bury Lane, Sutton, near Ely.

“Her family has been informed of this development, however, no formal identification has been carried out.”

It’s MAR10 Day today but while there are plenty of games starring Mario himself, which of his allies and enemies also deserve a spin-off game?

While the Super Mario franchise’s actual anniversary is September 13, international Mario Day is actually March 10, since the US date format renders today as MAR 10 – if you’re using the right kind of digital watch or other old school display.

Nintendo has adopted it as an official holiday but it usually doesn’t do anything other than run a limited sale for Mario games, so don’t expect a surprise 3D Mario game reveal. Although there have been rumours of a relatively big Mario Kart World update.

Mario himself has had plenty of games over the decades and while he’s occasionally stepped aside to let others, like Luigi and Wario, take the spotlight, there are still several Mushroom Kingdom residents who are overdue the chance to headline their own adventure.

1. Toad

No, we’re not talking about Captain Toad, who already starred in his own game, Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker. We mean just… Toad. While the mushroom headed citizens of the Mushroom Kingdom are also called Toads, a singular Toad, called Toad, has frequently appeared as his own character in the various sports and party game spin-offs.

Aside from being one of the four playable heroes in Super Mario Bros. 2, he’s missed out on most of Mario’s recent mainline adventures, with blue and yellow Toads taking his spot in 2D platformers like Super Mario Bros. Wonder.

Maybe he’s retired and prefers to hold down the fort at home. Given the popularity of Animal Crossing: New Horizons and, most recently, Pokémon Pokopia, a Mario version of those games where you’re a humble Toad building and managing a town in the Mushroom Kingdom sounds like one of those ideas so obvious it’s surprising it hasn’t been done yet. Especially if you could end up making it look like it does in the animated movie.

2. Goomba

The poor Goomba race has been getting stomped on by Mario and friends for 40 years, so when will they get their turn in the spotlight? Their standing has improved over time; in fact, the Switch 2 has seen their racing and tennis debuts with Mario Kart World and Mario Tennis Fever.

However, we’ve yet to see a Goomba be the star of the show. The closest is the Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga remake, which added a real-time strategy side-game where a lowly Goomba leads Bowser’s minions on a quest to find their missing king.

The idea could be fleshed out into a proper tactics game, with you challenging other armies in a bid to conquer the Mushroom Kingdom in Bowser’s name, but we think a puzzle platformer similar to the Captain Toad games would be a better fit, with a dash of Pikmin thrown in where you recruit more Goombas to bypass certain puzzles.

3. Lakitu

Much like the Goombas, Lakitus (Lakiti?) have frequently served as Bowser’s minions, but a few have been friendly enough to assist Mario, whether it be as the cameraman in Super Mario 64 or as a party member in Paper Mario.

Nintendo clearly sees Lakitu as important, since one has served as a referee in multiple sports games and, even after a promotion to playable character, kicks off races in all the Mario Kart games. So, why not give Lakitu their own game?

Since they’re typically seen flying on clouds, how about a Mario themed horizontal shooter à la R-Type, with them throwing their Spiny shells as their main projectile? Or, since they’re known for fishing racers back onto the track in Mario Kart, a chill Lakitu fishing game.

4. Boo

Boos are the most famous ghost characters in the Mario franchise, but there have been other types of ghosts throughout the series, most notably in the Luigi’s Mansion games. So, what makes the Boos different? Feels like there’s some untapped lore there.

Like Goomba and Lakitu, there have been plenty of playable Boos throughout the spin-offs (sometimes it’s even been King Boo), but no dedicated Boo games outside of the Luigi’s Mansion series, where they serve as primary antagonists.

A Boo-led game would probably be the reverse of that – a stealth game of sorts where you sneak up on Luigi and scare him before he spots you. Kind of like a child friendly Dead By Daylight that replaces the bloody murders with cartoonish jump scares. The fact that most Boos can’t look you in the face seems like a game mechanic ripe for exploitation.

5. Kamek

One last minion before we move on, Kamek has been Bowser’s right-hand baddie since the king was a baby and is important enough to have his own name, distinguishing himself from the generic Magikoopa enemies.

He also gets to be one of the main enemies in the Illumination Mario movies, and yet it took until 2012’s Mario Party 9 before he finally got to be playable. He’s since had a few more playable appearances in spin-offs but after finally making it into the racing games with Mario Kart Tour and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, he was demoted to just an item in Mario Kart World.

Given his position in Bowser’s army, Kamek might be a better lead role for a strategy game than a Goomba and his flying broomstick and spells make him a good fit for any kind of arcade-style shoot ‘em up. Alternatively, a Kamek game could focus on his early years rearing Bowser, kind of like a Nintendogs life-sim parody where you’re taking care of an evil toddler and trying to make him even more evil.

6. Waluigi

While Luigi’s lanky doppelganger has thrived in the spin-off games, he’s never so much as been acknowledged in the mainline entries. He’s completely absent in the Wario Land and WarioWare games too, despite being Wario’s partner in crime.

The closest he’s come to having a substantial role in the franchise is as the starting villain in 2005’s Dance Dance Revolution: Mario Mix and even then, he serves as the first boss fight, vanishing completely after he’s bested in a dance off.

Like Wario, Waluigi’s unhinged personality means any game he’d star in could afford to get really weird in ways a regular Mario game can’t. Something akin to those bizarre Legend Of Zelda adventure games starring Tingle would suit Waluigi’s weirdo vibes perfectly, where you explore dungeons and complete puzzles to gather treasure. At the very least, it’d be great to see him appear as a co-op partner in a new Wario Land platformer.

7. Princess Peach

Okay, yes, we’re cheating with this one as Peach has already had the lead role in two games: 2005’s Super Princess Peach and 2024’s Princess Peach: Showtime! So, why are we including her on this list? It’s because we feel neither of those games did her justice.

Super Princess Peach was a perfectly fine 2D platformer but suffered from some (presumably unintentional) sexist overtones and while not without its charms, Princess Peach: Showtime! is patronisingly easy even for a kids game and does little to expand on Peach’s character in the same way Luigi’s Mansion did for Luigi.

A more dedicated platformer, with Peach as the lead, makes a lot more sense now that the animated movies have turned her into a hyper-competent action hero, but we’d also welcome an expansion on Showtime’s formula if it had more engaging gameplay and a funnier script. Maybe even give it to Luigi’s Mansion studio Next Level Games, so it can flex its animation chops.

8. Daisy

Like Waluigi, Daisy is mostly known for her appearances in the spin-offs, serving as Peach’s louder and more tomboyish counterpart. Unlike Waluigi, though, she finally made the jump to the mainline platformers in 2023 as one of Super Mario Bros. Wonder’s playable characters, 34 years after her debut in Super Mario Land.

Hopefully this is a sign she’ll appear more frequently in the platformers and considering the games often hint at her being a love interest for Luigi, she’s arguably overdue an appearance in a Luigi’s Mansion game, though ideally not just as a kidnap victim.

A Daisy-centric platformer would also be the perfect excuse to return to her home kingdom of Sarasaland, which still has untapped potential for new locations. Or alternatively she could share the spotlight with Peach in a hypothetical Showtime sequel, as a co-op partner.

9. Nabbit

Debuting as a new enemy in 2012’s New Super Mario Bros. U, Nabbit’s antagonistic role was quickly dropped in favour of him being the beginner friendly playable character in the 2D games. Since he’s completely invincible (although he’s not immune to falling into pits) he’s meant for little kids who have never played a platformer before.

A Nabbit game, though, could be a good opportunity to return to his roots. His whole thing was speeding away after robbing someone’s house, so how about a Super Meat Boy-esque platformer where the levels are bite-sized and the emphasis is on how fast you can complete them, with you helping Nabbit flee his pursuers.

Such a game could also explain where Nabbit came from and why he’s made a habit out of stalking Mario and company in the 2D games. Super Mario Bros. Wonder describes him as ‘someone keeping an eye on Mario and his friends,’ so maybe he’s just lonely and awkward.

10 & 11. Geno and Mallow

The Mario role-playing games are full of fan favourite characters, but if any of them were going to headline their own game, our vote is for the double act of Geno and Mallow, who both served as party members in Super Mario RPG. Coincidentally, that game turned 30 years old the day before MAR10 Day, on March 9.

You’re likely already familiar with Geno thanks to the enduring fan demands that he be playable in Super Smash Bros., but if not, he’s a sagely star spirit who inhabits the body of a wooden doll and fights with energy blasts and kid-friendly firearms.

Mallow, meanwhile, is an adorable cloud boy raised by frogs who wields weather-based magic. He’s also the only party member with a real character arc, joining Mario on his quest to track down his birth parents and eventually outgrowing his cry-baby tendencies.

Super Mario RPG’s overall plot was rather thin, but a direct sequel with a script thatrelies on the comedic stylings of the Paper Mario games would be very welcome and the perfect opportunity to further flesh out Geno and Mallow. Alternatively, their unique abilities could be used for a co-op platformer in the style of Hazelight’s games like Split Fiction.

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PSNI revealed that the man tried to escape officers and said the matter is being treated as a hate crime

A man has been released on bail pending further inquiries after being arrested on suspicion of common assault and disorderly behaviour – including shouting racist slurs at children.

The alleged incident took place in Portadown, Co Armagh, on Sunday evening, March 8. Police responded to complaints after a male was reported in the Park Road area of the town allegedly aggravating children.

A spokesman from PSNI told Belfast Live: “Police received a report of a man acting in a disorderly manner in the Park Road area of Portadown on Sunday, March 8.

READ MORE: Teenage pedestrian hospitalied after East Belfast traffic collisionREAD MORE: Pedestrian seriously injured in West Belfast collision involving Range Rover

“On police arrival, at around 5.55pm, it was reported that the man was assaulting children and shouting racist slurs. The matter is being treated as a racially-motivated hate crime.

“When officers approached the man he made off and a short foot pursuit ensued before he could be detained. The man, aged 22, was arrested on suspicion of common assault and disorderly behaviour. He remains in custody at this time.”

For all the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here and sign up to our daily newsletter here.

The Turkish president with a reputation for being bullish, no-nonsense and tough was clear as he addressed his cabinet on Monday.

He does not want Turkey to be dragged into this war on Iran.

“Our primary goal is to keep our country clear of this fire. Ensuring Turkey’s security and the peace of its 86 million citizens is our greatest priority,” President Recep Tayyip Erdogan told his ministers.

He was speaking the same day a second ballistic missile fired from Iran to Turkey was intercepted by NATO defences.

Debris from the interception landed in a field in the southern Turkish city of Gaziantep. A first missile fired days earlier on was also intercepted, this time, as it was headed towards Turkish airspace.

That incident drew words of caution from the Turkish foreign minister Hakan Fidan who urged their Iranian neighbours not to test Turkey’s patience.

“We are not a country that gets provoked easily,” Mr Fidan said. “We spoke with our Iranian friends and said if this missile lost its way, that’s one thing, but if it continues, be careful…”

The president went further at a Monday Iftar dinner in Ankara for ambassadors. “We do not accept the Middle East geography to be put on the operating table just like a century ago.”

“Last week, and today,” the president said. “The ballistic missiles headed to our country were neutralised on time and the necessary warnings were made very clearly to be Iranian side.

“I emphasise again, that the war should be ended without spreading further in our region.”

The Turkish leader insisted he was actively working to lower tensions and had conducted multiple talks with more than a dozen leaders to try to broke a way through the crisis.

On Monday evening it also emerged that Mr Erdogan had had a phone call with Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian. Turkey said on social media that this had come at the request of the Iranians. The post said Mr Erdogan had told his counterpart that Turkey “doesn’t approve of unlawful interventions against Iran and Iran’s targeting of the brotherly countries in the region”.

“President Erdogan stated that targeting the brotherly countries benefits no one and that these must all stop,” the statement from his office added.

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Day 10 Iran war: Videos from on the ground

The US embassy has raised its advice for travelling to the country to Level Four, urging travellers against travel to southeast Turkey and has ordered non-emergency US government employees and family members to leave the Consulate General in Adana “due to security risks”.

Americans in southeast Turkey have been “strongly encouraged to depart now”.

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Ayatollah’s son takes supreme power

Security along Turkey’s long border with Iran has been tightened and Sky’s journalists along the border have detected very little movement out of Iran and into Turkey.

There is usually visa-free movement for Iranians wanting to visit Turkey and vice-versa along the three border gates the two countries share. But right now, Iran is only allowing in Iranians.

Our team at a border crossing detected limited movement with higher numbers of Iranians wanting to travel back to their homeland to check on relatives there, than the numbers departing.

Turkey’s disquiet over Iranian missiles near or through its airspace led to Iran’s Ankara ambassador being summoned to the Turkish foreign ministry.

And in a sign of the country’s increasing concerns over tensions, the country has sent six F-16 fighter jets to the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus as part of a “phased approach to enhancing security”.

The aircraft are expected to operate from Ercan International Airport west of the capital Nicosia and will be equipped to conduct air patrol and air defence missions over the eastern Mediterranean.

Turkey hosts American forces in Incirlik airbase in the southern Adana Province but has not allowed its bases or airspace to be used in the war against Iran.

Additional reporting by Turkey producer Zeynep Bilginsoy

Those arrested have been banned from areas in Cambridgeshire

Three people have been banned from entering areas of Cambridgeshire after police uncovered an illegal rave in St Ives. Officers seized equipment and arrested three people after a rave of more than 400 people.

Police discovered the illegal rave in an industrial unit in Burrel Road at about 1.30am on Sunday, March 8. At the time, dozens of police officers and a Police Dog attended and a dispersal order was put in place, affecting more than 400 people and preventing others from entering the warehouse.

A 22-year-old man from Doddington was arrested on suspicion of burglary and organising an unlicensed musical event. He has been bailed until June 7 with conditions not to enter St Ives.

An 18-year-old from Stroud and a 26-year-old man from Swindon were arrested on suspicion of breaching a dispersal order, violent disorder, and possession of drugs. They have been bailed until June 6 with conditions not to enter Cambridgeshire.

Music equipment and control units were seized. Officers also cut the power to the unit and boarded it up to prevent any further incidents.

Neighbourhood Inspector Colin Norden said: “Raves are perceived to be unlicensed music events that are harmless fun and victimless crimes. Sadly this isn’t the case. Not only do they serve as an outlet for the supply and use of illegal drugs but they cause significant community disruption and damage.

“Illegal raves will not be tolerated and where appropriate any sound equipment onsite will be seized. Attendees leaving such an event, intending to drive, are also likely to be breathalysed.”

Kirsty Brimelow KC, the senior criminal lawyer who heads the Bar Council, said: “This letter and its more than 3,000 signatories demonstrate the unequivocal principled and practical opposition to the restriction of jury trials from not only the Bar, but the legal profession as a whole.

Soumen Das, co-chair of the Parker Review Steering Committee, said: “As we transition to a new leadership and move into the next phase of the Review’s work, our focus will be on building on this progress, addressing areas which need further attention, and supporting companies in delivering against their 2027 commitments.”