A MIDDLESBROUGH department store has been fined £17,000 and a further 345 people have died. Here's what you need to know form the past 24-hours:

  • A further 345 people have died from coronavirus in England

There have been 1,588 new confirmed coronavirus cases in the North-East and North Yorkshire.

The Government has announced a further 501 people have died within 28 days of testing positive for coronavirus, bringing the UK total to 53,775. Read the full story here.

  • Middlesbrough department store fined £17,000 and forced to close after ignoring lockdown rules​

TJ Hughes has been fined £17,000 after ignoring lockdown rules.

The store was issued with several FPNs and a prohibition notice by Middlesbrough Council for failing to close as required under Covid-19 regulations.

The council hasn't confirmed which store has closed but the Northern Echo now understands it is TJ Hughes. Read more here.

  • Update on Nightingale Hospital North East as NHS bosses warn of bed shortages​

The NHS trust in charge of the region's Nightingale Hospital has provided an update on whether it will open after hospital executives warned of bed shortages in the North-East.

The Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, which runs the Nightingale Hospital North East, near Sunderland, made the comments as stern warnings were issued.

Hospital executives from NHS trusts across the North-East last night warned of fewer patient beds, and more deaths, unless the region's cases started to fall. Read the whole story.

  • 'Retail workers are not paid to deal with your abuse' - Stockton South MP calls for action after assaults on retail workers doubles amid Covid

​MP for Stockton South, Matt Vickers, has called for action as assaults on retail workers double during the Covid pandemic.

Violence and abuse against shop workers has doubled during the coronavirus pandemic, according to a union representing retail staff.

The Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers (USDAW) says retail workers have been assaulted, threatened or abused at least once a week on average since the start of the coronavirus outbreak, compared to once a fortnight in 2019.

In the week after face masks were made mandatory in shops, the Co-op reported 990 incidents of anti-social behaviour and verbal abuse in its stores. Read the full story here.

  • Christmas wonderland coming to North-East just days after lockdown​

Lane 7, headquartered in Darlington, is bringing a Covid-safe outdoor Christmas festival to the North-East this winter.

The independent bowling alley has announced plans to bring a seasonal outdoor festival, with a range of family-friendly attractions, tipi-style bars and themed party nights, to its Gutterball site at the Royal Quays in North Shields. 

There are also plans for a Christmas pantomime in a 200-seater covered arena called the MegaDome.

Dependent on appropriate Covid restrictions, it will open daily from Friday, December 4 through into 2021. Read more here.