:00:14. > :00:18.Good afternoon. The government's being asked to support a ?30 million
:00:19. > :00:21.plan to raise standards in North East schools. Head teachers met
:00:22. > :00:25.business leaders this week to discuss the bid. A similar scheme in
:00:26. > :00:29.London has seen a dramatic rise in standards. It's hoped it could make
:00:30. > :00:32.a huge difference to the economy. If we want to fundamentally change the
:00:33. > :00:36.position of the North East economically, this is critical.
:00:37. > :00:39.We've got to start now. We will not see immediate benefit. We
:00:40. > :00:42.understand. But if we don't start something, we'll never achieve it.
:00:43. > :00:47.It's a huge opportunity for our next generation. There's more on that on
:00:48. > :00:51.Sunday Politics, tomorrow on BBC One.
:00:52. > :00:54.A 19`year`old man has died in a crash involving three cars on the
:00:55. > :00:58.Brotton Bypass. Cleveland Police said it happened at 5pm yesterday
:00:59. > :01:01.afternoon on the A174. An 18`year`old woman is in a stable
:01:02. > :01:08.condition in hospital. A man has been arrested on suspicion of
:01:09. > :01:11.causing death by dangerous driving. A rally against proposed cuts to
:01:12. > :01:15.Cleveland Fire Service is being held in Middlesbrough today. Under the
:01:16. > :01:18.plans to save six million from the brigade's funding, 130 full`time
:01:19. > :01:25.posts would be lost ` and Marine Fire Station in Middlesbrough would
:01:26. > :01:29.be shut. A patient who took part in trials
:01:30. > :01:33.for a drug for multiple sclerosis in the North East says it's allowed her
:01:34. > :01:36.to get on with her life. Katie Stanton took part in trials at the
:01:37. > :01:39.Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle. This week the drug
:01:40. > :01:44.Tecfidera was approved for use by the European Commission. Regular
:01:45. > :01:49.check ups and taking tablets on time are a way of life for Katie Stanton.
:01:50. > :01:53.She was diagnosed with MS six years ago and joined clinical trails. Her
:01:54. > :01:59.attacks reduced significantly ` changing her life. The first ones I
:02:00. > :02:03.had, I was off work for three or four weeks. Now I just have to say
:02:04. > :02:22.to them, I think I'm having an attack. They're there straightaway.
:02:23. > :02:30.That'll do me. Up until recently, only injections have been offered.
:02:31. > :02:34.But this drug is much more effectively and can be taken as a
:02:35. > :02:37.tablet. And the drugs watchdog NICE say they will soon begin
:02:38. > :02:40.consultation on the use of the drug. TV presenter Davina McCall will
:02:41. > :02:43.arrive in Cumbria today as part of her gruelling week`long challenge
:02:44. > :02:47.for Sport Relief. She's running, swimming and cycling 500 miles, from
:02:48. > :02:51.Edinburgh to London. Davina started the challenge this morning and is
:02:52. > :03:00.expected to arrive in Keswick at 9pm this evening.
:03:01. > :03:03.This afternoon's football: In the Premier League Newcastle travel to
:03:04. > :03:06.Chelsea and Sunderland are at home to Hull at the Stadium of Light.
:03:07. > :03:10.Middlesbrough are at home to Blackburn in the Championship and in
:03:11. > :03:13.League One Carlisle play Gillingham. In League two Hartlepool take on
:03:14. > :03:21.Dagenham Redbridge and York are at home to Cheltenham.
:03:22. > :03:45.Now, Kay Crewdson has the weather. Good afternoon. Windy today! Top
:03:46. > :03:51.temperature of seven Celsius. This evening, there will be showers
:03:52. > :03:53.around. It stays frost free though. That's it from the lunchtime team.
:03:54. > :04:12.We'll be back just after seven. evening. -- the winds will ease
:04:13. > :04:17.Good afternoon. It is yet another stormy day to day with heavy rain
:04:18. > :04:21.around and very strong winds. The Met office has issued an amber
:04:22. > :04:23.warning for the strong winds. They could be disruptive