Welcome to your daily look at the news in the North East.
Each afternoon we'll bring you some of the latest from the North East - from breaking news and top stories to NUFC updates and the cost of living latest.
Today we celebrate International Women's Day, as well as bring you the news that plans to build more than 140 new homes on a derelict railway yard in Heaton look set to be approved this week and popular shoe shop OFFICE inside Newcastle's Eldon Square has shut down.
This is your North East Today update.
International Women's Day: The First World War female footballer who shone a century before the Lionesses
The historic Euros win of the England Lionesses shone the light on women's football, with three players hailing from the North East. But before the success of the Lionesses, there was a surge in popularity in women's football during World War I which paved the way for the likes of the North East's Lucy Bronze, Jill Scott and Beth Mead.
And, there was one player in particular hailed as the stalwart of the day who played for the Blyth Spartans Ladies team. Bella Reay, or Wor Bella as she was affectionately known, played during World War I and scored an impressive 133 goals in 30 matches between 1917 and 1918. With the Newsham lass' number of goals putting her in the same league as other superstar Alan Shearer.
The team was made up of dockers who were helping unload spent cartridges and loaded bombs for the front. Hundreds of thousands of women flooded munitions factories to save the WWI efforts after male military conscription was introduced in 1916.
They worked long, hard and dangerous 60-hour weeks in the shipyards but found time for football to raise money for maimed and blinded soldiers, widows and orphans.
Plans for 140 homes on derelict land next to Heaton railway tracks could be approved this week
Plans to build more than 140 new homes on a derelict railway yard in Heaton look set to be approved this week.
Developer Keepmoat Homes wants to build a new estate on the former Heaton Down Yard, near Chillingham Road Metro station. The proposals are now due to come before city councillors on Friday for a verdict on whether the transformation of the disused site, next to Marleen Avenue, can go ahead.
The regeneration project would see 143 new homes built – comprising 12 apartments in a three storey block and 131 two or three storey houses. Ahead of Friday’s city planning committee meeting, council officials have recommended that the proposals are given the green light.
OFFICE closes doors at Newcastle's Eldon Square - with Paperchase set to follow soon
A popular shoe shop inside Newcastle's Eldon Square has shut down and another well-known brand is also set to close its doors for good.
OFFICE ceased trading inside the shopping centre at the end of last month and it is not yet known if the fashionable shoe chain will reopen another store in the city. Shutters have gone down over the storefront of the unit, which sits close to the Levi's store, however, no one from the brand responded to ChronicleLive's request for comment on the closure.
Meanwhile, stationary brand, Paperchase, has also announced it is closing down its Eldon Square store after the company fell into administration at the start of the year.
Read next:
- 'Like being attacked by a bear' - Wallsend window cleaner left needing hospital treatment after being mauled by savage dog on Valentine's Day
- Families of South Shields couple killed in Manchester terror attack call for right to register their deaths
- Selfless Newcastle-mad dad who 'bleeds black and white' gives Wembley tickets to his kids
- Newcastle United to receive civic ceremony - even if they lose Wembley cup final
- Gateshead dad says tree outside home is 'accident waiting to happen' as he calls on council to act
