11 stories from the region you might have missed this week

For many, the week’s much-needed days of rest have finally begun.

But if work got the better of you from Monday to Friday (and you’re feeling a little bit out of the loop) we are here to look after you.

It’s been a busy week in the North East Press newsroom – and there’s been a lot going on – so take a look at our guide to what you might have missed this week.

We’ve picked 11 stories from our region to share with you and help you catch up before Monday rolls around again.

Sunderland High School - the school that pioneered education for girls

The announcement that Sunderland High School is to close has left former pupils stunned. Here we trace the early history of the 132-year-old school.

Generations of girls were given the chance to train as doctors, lawyers, accountants and dentists - thanks to the pioneering education offered by Sunderland High School.

To read the full story, click here.

Ill Hartlepool boy's case is one of only 11 in the world

A brave little boy– who captured the hearts of Hartlepool Mail readers before his tragic death aged three – was suffering from one of the rarest conditions in the world.

Only ten other people in history have been diagnosed with the gene mutation – which is so uncommon it has yet to be given a proper name.

To read the full story, click here.

When and what is Groundhog Day?

For most of us, Groundhog Day is all about Bill Murray and repetitive events - but the occasion's roots date back thousands of years ago.

Groundhog Day is celebrated in America on February 2 - the same date as the Christian date of Candlemas, which in turn has pagan roots dating back millennia.

To read the full story, click here.

Holocaust Memorial Day: Stories of Jewish refugees remembered in commemorative quilt

City youngsters have created a commemorative artwork to help raise awareness of Holocaust Memorial Day.

Pupils from Grangetown Primary School have made a patchwork quilt, designing individual squares based on the memories and experiences of Jewish children who fled to Britain to escape Nazi persecution before the Second World War.

To read the full story, click here.

Hartlepool school wants to open its doors to more pupils

A Hartlepool primary school is hoping to open its doors to more pupils.

Jo Heaton, executive headteacher of Hart Primary School, has submitted a planning application to Hartlepool Borough Council.

To read the full story, click here.

Nissan battery project to guarantee 300 Wearside jobs

Nissan is to safeguard 300 jobs with plans to build a new a generation of electric vehicle batteries at its Sunderland plant.

The car giant is ploughing £26.5million into its UK operations, guaranteeing the future of highly-skilled jobs in manufacturing, maintenance and engineering at its Wearside advanced lithium-ion battery plant, the largest of its type in Europe.

To read the full story, click here.

REVIEW: The Ivy House, Worcester Terrace, Ashbrooke, Sunderland

Rewind 15 years and I was regular to The Ivy House.

Back then it had, how shall I put it, a ‘distinct’ aroma thanks to the lack of smoking ban and a carpet which had been slopped with way too many pints.

To read the full story, click here.

Super-slimmer Sharon is half the woman she used to be

A former ‘yo-yo dieter’ from South Tyneside says she is delighted to have lost over eight stone.

Sharon Snaith, 53, from South Eldon Street, South Shields, lost an impressive eight stone and half a pound after ditching convenience food for home-cooked meals.

To read the full story, click here.

Sunderland youngster scores stunning goal against Manchester United

Luke Molyneux scored a stunning strike in Sunderland Under-18s win over Manchester United.

The winger cut inside from the right and bent a magnificent shot across the keeper into the far top corner, a replica of his goal against West Bromwich Albion.

To read the full story, and watch the goal, click here.

Drug dealer sold heroin to pay for girlfriend's IVF treatment

A broody dealer who sold drugs to pay for IVF treatment for his girlfriend in the hope he could become a father has been jailed.

Steven Lowes and his partner had "exhausted all avenues through the NHS" to have a baby together, so he took to the streets and sold heroin to fund their dream.

To read the full story, click here.

Hartlepool MP's challenge to hospital bosses over loss of fertility service

Hartlepool MP Iain Wright has challenged a hospital boss to answer a series of key questions over the closure of a fertility service at the town’s hospital.

Mr Wright has asked questions in Parliament to Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt and is seeking answers to a number of questions around the axing of licensed fertility services provided at the University Hospital of Hartlepool including details of attempts to recruit embryologists.

To read the full story, click here.