26/12/2011 Look North (North East and Cumbria)

Good evening. An investigation is underway after a pensioner died in

a house fire in Northumberland. The 62-year-old was found dead inside

the house in Bedlington Station near Ashington after a blaze

yesterday afternoon. A man from North Yorkshire

sentenced to life in prison in the Philliipines for drug smuggling 20

years ago has been pardoned due to ill health. William Burton from

Rufforth near York must pay a fine and leave the country.

Well, the region's shoppers certainly seem to have got their

appetite back. They've been out in force today hunting for Boxing Day

bargains with stores across the region reporting stock flying off

the shelves. Peter Lugg sampled the frenzy on Teesside.

Store managers had been waiting all Christmas for this. Crowded

pavements, arms full of carrier bags, retail car parks with no

space to spare. Cartons of electrics walking out of the store.

This was Teesside Park and Middlesbrough centre at the height

of today's Boxing Day sales. We're saying that next Christmas what we

might do is wait until after Christmas. I cannot make them wait

until after Christmas but they can get it cheaper for next year.

70 per cent. I am really happy. Debenhams led the way in Boxing Day

opening three years ago. They were here it's 7am and they're still

here now. Scenes similar to these were being reported from the Metro

Centre to Clifton Moor. A record number of people have

taken part in Boxing Day dips across the North. At Seaburn in

Sunderland, 1,400 braved the chilly North Sea for an event now in its

37th year. In 1974, just 40 people turned out

for what's become the country's biggest Boxing Day dip. Today,

registrations were stopped at 1,400, most of whom were taking to the

North Sea in the name of charity. It is mild. When they but mild.

This has become a way of life and this is what we do on Boxing Day.

And about �60,000 is likely to have been raised for all sorts of causes.

We're raising over �2,000 for what a raid, which kills people in the

developing world. Have you been in? Yes, drenched. And no doubt the

thought of the money that's been raised probably helps to give all

the dippers a warm glow as well. Onto the Boxing Day football now.

In the Premier League, Sunderland drew 1-1 against Everton. The

Merseysiders getting their equaliser from a spot kick.

Meanwhile, goals from Hatem Ben Arfa and Demba Ba saw Newcastle 2-0

winners at Bolton. An 87th minute goal saw Middlesbrough beat Hull in

the Championship. In League Two, Hartlepool picked up three points

at Oldham. And a six goal thriller for Carlisle. Preston scoring in

the final minute for a 3-3 scoreline. In the Conference,

Gateshead, Darlington and York all drew. And a look at the weather for

drew. And a look at the weather for After the mildest Christmas on

record, it will stay mild. That rain just coming in this evening

and taking hold through the night, working its way down across most of

the region by dawn. There will be some cloud and a mild night with

temperatures around seven Celsius. In the morning, low cloud and hill

fog but it will pass across the border by tomorrow afternoon. Top

temperatures still in double figures for most of us tomorrow.

Wednesday and Thursday, those temperatures like a little bit but