DURHAM City MP Roberta Blackman-Woods has welcomed Durham County Council voting to set up a working group to consider the affordability of introducing a ‘living wage’ for its lowest paid workers. The Labour MP said she hoped the working group would see the benefits the living wage and decide to introduce it. The living wage is currently £7.45 an hour.

ARREST MADE: Police investigating a bogus official incident which took place in the Ryhope area of Sunderland on Saturday (December 1) have arrested a 40-year-old man. He remained in police custody today (Thursday, December 5).

SUPERSTAR SHOW: The musical Jesus Christ Superstar will be at the Metro Radio Arena in Newcastle on Tuesday, March 26, 2013, it has been announced. Ben Forster will play Jesus, Tim Minchin will appear as Judas Iscariot and Spice Girl Melanie C takes the role of Mary Magdalene. Tickets, priced £30 to £65, will go on sale tomorrow at 9am. To book, call 0844-4936666, visit the arena box office or go online to metroradioarena.co.uk

MISSING MAN: Police are appealing for help in finding Michael O’Neill, 55, who was last seen leaving his home address in Sunderland city centre at about 5.30pm on Monday. He is described as white, of slim to medium build, 5ft 4ins tall, with short black greying hair and brown eyes. He was last seen wearing a navy fleece jacket, a blue T-shirt and jeans. Police are concerned for his welfare and are asking him to get in touch. Anyone with information on his whereabouts is asked to call Northumbria Police on 101.