17/05/2014 Look North (North East and Cumbria)

Hello, good evening. time for the

Hello, good evening. Hundreds of English Defence League

supporters have marched through the centre of Newcastle. They were met

by a rival demonstration ` with the two groups kept apart by a massive

police presence. Peter Harris reports.

They'd come from far and wide. Several hundred English Defence

League supporters, marching through the city centre. The police say the

English Defence League had initially wanted to march through the

ethnically`mixed west end of the city. They were told they couldn't

do that, and a compromise was eventually reached last night.

Instead they made their way to the city's Leazes Park, where they were

met by a noisy counter demo. We want to give a clear message to the

English Defence League that they're not welcome. We won't confront them.

Police will be there. But we want them to hear our voice. The diverse

voice of Newcastle, that the EDL is fascism. Racism is not welcome in

our city. Inside the park the EDL group heard speeches, still angry at

being stopped from marching their preferred route to the west end. I

live in the west end... We're more than welcome. We're wanted there!

Speakers also made reference to the ongoing Northumbria Police

investigation Operation Sanctuary, into the alleged abuse of young

women. The police stress it involves people from a range of communities.

The force says the demos passed off peacefully. There's been minimal

disruption. No arrests or incidents of note. I'd like to take the

opportunity to thank the public for their patience and co`operation. The

marchers dispersed and the police say they'll have their usual patrols

in the city centre tonight. A week since the disappearance of

19`year`old Durham University student Luke Pearce, police say

they'll hand out leaflets tonight, hoping to jog people's memories.

Luke was last seen walking along the river bank in the early hours of

last Sunday morning after a night out. Officers will focus on the

Jimmy Allen's and Baths Bridge area of the city this evening.

Campaigners took to the streets of Newcastle today calling for

dedicated lanes for cyclists. The event was part of a national

campaign called Space for Cycling. And around 100 cyclists, including

young children, demonstrated their support by cycling through the city

centre. The message is give us space for

cycling. It's setting aside more space. Cycling, walking, taking the

bus... The active forms of transport can take prime position in the city.

Cars have to start to take the back seat.

Around 300 rowing crews from across the country have been taking to the

River Tees at Stockton today, as part of the annual Tees Regatta.

It's the only buoyed course in the North of England and this year's

event marks the 150th anniversary of the Tees Rowing Club, who run the

event. More than 750 rowers in all have been competing since nine

o'clock this morning. Some have travelled from as far afield as

Sussex to take part. This year's regatta has seen a large number of

school teams signing up, in preparation for the National Schools

Championships, next week. The north east is very big on rowing

at the moment. We've got some really good potential coming through. We've

got all the other GB sections covered by crews and competitors

from Tees and the Tyne. Football ` and York City just failed

to reach the League Two promotion play`off final. They needed to beat

Fleetwood in their semi final second leg last night, but it ended

scoreless. So the Lancashire club go through.

But of course hopes are high for Gateshead at Wembley tomorrow, in

their Conference playoff final against Cambridge. Full radio

commentary on BBC Newcastle. And we'll have the goals and reaction

from Wembley here on Look North tomorrow evening.

For many, the weather has been glorious today. How about tomorrow?

Jen Bartram can tell us. It looks like it will be dry and

fine. The wind will pick up slightly. 11 or 12 degrees. Sunday

has a bright start. Feeling warm once again.

That's it for now. Sunday Politics looks ahead to next week's local

elections. That's at 11am tomorrow morning, and we'll be back with the

action from Wembley tomorrow evening. Bye for now.

Good evening. Who needs an expensive holiday? Today at 24 degrees,

Suffolk was warmer than Ibiza and Crete. There was lots of warm

sunshine to