CABLE TV customers in Teesside and Darlington were among the first in the country to watch News at Ten again yesterday - as part of the launch of the new ITN News Channel at 1pm.

Stockton's ntl service did have teething troubles, with some areas unable to watch the new service, but spokeswoman Alison Levett was confident all customers would be tuned in by midnight last night.

Former News at Ten presenter Julia Somerville was due to anchor the flagship ITN news programme at 8pm and 9pm, as well as the News at Ten.

Other well-known faces include Carol Barnes, John Suchet, Daljit Dhaliwal and Ros Childs. Andrew Harvey and Leyla Daybelge join the reporting team from BBC News 24 and Sky News respectively.

All basic package customers with ntl should receive ITN News on Channel 45 or 123 on the digital service.