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Vanessa Sims

Editor

Editor of the Blackpool Gazette, Lytham St Annes Express, Fleetwood Weekly News, Lancaster Guardian, Morecambe Advertiser and Deputy Editor in Chief North West. If you have a story don't hesitate to get in touch!.

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Fancy watching Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live?

I watched Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live - here's why you should too!

Angela Madden, pictured left, with WASPI campaigners outside the Houses of Parliament during a demonstration earlier this year (photo: Leon Neal/Getty Images)

WASPI campaigners seeking a 'Herculean effort' to send 1m letters

P&O's luxury Cruise Ship Iona docked at Southampton Port

How I spent 48 hours onboard a P&O luxury Iona weekend cruise

A man who backpacked around 300 towns and cities across Great Britain says two North East towns are the most deprived he has come across

I visited 312 towns & cities across GB and I was shocked at what I saw

The varieties of Fisherman's Friend on offer this winter

Ad Feature Gen Z take the most sick days - The new face of self-care this winter

There's a host of live music for the Unity event

Two-day festival to celebrate diversity in Sunderland

The band D council tax for 2025/26 in Sunderland is £2,093 - up from £1,997 the previous year. That's the seventh lowest of any local authority outside of London. In 2024/25, the Local Government Ombudsman upheld 2.1 complaints against Sunderland City Council per 100,000 residents, which is well below than the average for similar authorities, of 4.7 per 100,000.

Sunderland and North East coast sees population boom - here's why

The University of Sunderland has partnered with the Aldrin Family Foundation (AFF) to help inspire pupils at two Sunderland schools to pursue a career in STEMM

'Inspiring' - City's children explore space with help from Buzz Aldrin

Storm Amy's high winds and heavy rain cause the cancellation of the opening ceremony of the Houghton Feast

Breaking Damage caused by Storm Amy halts opening ceremony of annual event

The proposed Sunderland bus improvement corridor will run from the A183 Chester Road/Hastings Hill junction down to the junction with Chester Road / Broadmayne Avenue

Huge update on proposals for bus lane on one of city's busiest roads

Secretary of State for Education Bridget Phillipson

Make no mistake: we are in a fight. We know Reform poses a danger

Latest roundup of food hygiene ratings for Sunderland takeaways

Roker Pier pictured this week as it reopened

Ad Feature Now is Sunderland's time as city aims to stamp itself on tourism map

How 2025 is shaping up to be a big year in Sunderland

The new Eye Hospital is taking shape ahead of its opening next summer

Ad Feature Countdown to opening of Sunderland's major new Eye Hospital

Staff and students at City of Sunderland College celebrating their 2024 A Level results.

A Level Results Day 2025 LIVE: News, results & clearing advice

Kendal Calling celebrated 20 years in the fields with a 40,000 strong crowd -Kaiser Chief

23 epic pictures of Kendal Calling as festival celebrates 20 years
Kendal Calling and its followers gathered in the fields last weekend to celebrate a 20 exceptional years of music.
Vanessa Sims

Welcome to the Summer edition of, North East Local magazine

We're proudly the North East's businesses - here's how you can too

The Boulevard Hotel, Blackpool

I stayed at one of the best hotels in the world and its in Blackpool

Blackpool Pleasure Beach Resort's Hot Ice XS is running from Jul 10 until September 13

I saw 2025 launch of world's longest running ice show and left in awe

Simple Minds, Russ Walker / Instagram: russwalkerphotography

I saw Simple Minds & Texas at Lytham Festival - the show was fantastic

68-year-old Christopher Brain, of Park Road, Washington man accused of rape and claims he intentionally transmited HIV

Breaking Man accused of rape and claims he intentionally transmited HIV

Watch the iconic new TV advert promoting Blackpool as it goes live

Rachel Reeves has promised that completing the restoration of the Tyne Bridge will be just the first step in fixing up the North East’s crumbling infrastructure.

Chancellor: we're going to fix North East’s crumbling infrastructure

An overturned lorry blocking the A19

Govt ministers to discuss improvements to two roundabouts on the A19

The newly named Keel Crossing in Sunderland

Breaking Chosen by people of Sunderland - City's newest landmark named

The name of Sunderland's newest landmark Keel Crossing unveiled

I can’t wait to see Keel Crossing transformed into sea of red & white

You wouldn't go to Sainsburys and steal your shopping so why steal from restaurants?

You don't go to Sainsburys and steal so why steal from our restaurant?
Bill dodgers dined on curry and butter chicken before making off without paying their £58 tab, a restaurant boss has claimed.
Vanessa Sims

Lotti Harrison and Ty Burns with their American school bus that they are travelling around Europe in with their toddlers

We've sold everything to buy £25k American school bus & travel Europe

Single mother landed with 20% rent increase calls for rent controls

I get angry the landlord can raise the rent with just a month’s notice

Wax figures of television presenters Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly, which have been returned to Madame Tussauds Blackpool after undergoing a transformation

TV stars Ant and Dec are back in Blackpool - what you need to know

Sunderland: Recent planning applications decided by council

Claire Lewis who is a former prison officer, was left with life-threatening injuries being attacked at HMP Frankland in 2010 and has been unable to work ever since

He stabbed my colleague,then he turned to me & said I’m gonna kill you

Friends Natty and Cooky, aged 30 and 31, from Sunderland turned their favourite game, Power of Ra, into a £13,000 jackpot win at Grosvenor Casino Sunderland

Pair strike it lucky winning £13k jackpot on casino slot machine

I tried the fab new ents centre drawing folk in from across the North

Six baby goslings are set to become the latest fluffy little stars to join Kynren : An Epic Tale of England, having hatched just before Easter.

Six Easter chicks to be the new stars of the UK's largest outdoor show

Ex-Sunderland AFC manager Peter Reid is heading back to the city to mark 30 years since his reign

It’s amazing 30 years have passed since I was at the old Roker Park

PM Sir Keir Starmer addressing the reception of regional journalists at 10 Downing Street

It's not everyday you get an invited by the PM to visit Downing Street

Reverend Daniel Alcock, aged 28, from Sunderland, is the youngest Padre in the British Army

I lead baptisms in the field, says the youngest Padre in British Army

North East Ambulance Service trialling electric vehicles

We’ve made massive strides - NEAS trialling use of electric vehicles

A scene from Tom Fletcher & Dougie Poynter’s The Dinosaur That Pooped

I went to see The Dinosaur that Pooped a Rock Show and it was a blast

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Vicky Pattison and husband Ercan Ramadan

Manhunt sparked for girl who stole Vicky Pattison's engagement ring

The Just Eat Customer Service Centre employs over 600 people.

Huge North East employer Just Eat to be bought out in £3.4bn deal

Laura Elphinstone as DS Bella Moy in Grace

Game of Thrones and ‘Grace’ star inspires actors of the future

Sunderland winger Romaine Mundle

Racism has no place in our game - we will back strongest action

South Tyneside Magistrate's Court.

Man punched ex in face in row over drugs as baby lay upstairs in bed

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