- Good morning and welcome to our live blog as the region is battered by Storm Otto, with winds of up to 75mph predicted.
- We will bring you live updates on the weather and traffic conditions throughout the day.
- The Met Office has issued a Yellow warning for much of the region from Friday with chances of injuries and danger to life from flying debris.
- If you would like to get in touch or know about something we may have missed, please email newsdesk@nne.co.uk
- For all the top news updates from right across the region straight to your inbox, sign up to our newsletter: www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/emailbulletins
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