Lee Hall at Newcastle’s Lit & Phil for the launch of History of the North East in 100 Objects.

Lee Hall, author of the stage play Billy Elliott, at Newcastle's Literary & Philosophical Society for the launch of Festival of the North East's History of the North East in 100 Objects.

WWII air hero John Hall

WW2 Veteran Flt Lt John Hall DFC, 91, from Grindon, Sunderland, who survived 60 bombing missions over Europe as a Lancaster bomber tail gunner and went on to become a Flight Lieutentant after being awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross personally by King George VI. John is now helping local youths.