The invitation to the "development performance" of the "theatrical event" The Last Ship at Live Theatre, Newcastle, made no mention of world famous Geordie singer-songwriter Sting, who'd announced he was writing the project to celebrate his 60th birthday way back in September. So it was no surprise to find the ex-Police star meeting and greeting familiar faces as he tried out his 20-song creation on an audience of invited guests on Friday night. It was a complete surprise to his New York co-producers who discovered that the man once known as Gordon Sumner wanted to test out his creation - with a book by Broadway musical genius Brian Yorkey - back in his home city...

One of Wallsend’s most famous exports has given his backing to one of the town’s oldest community buildings. Sting has agreed to become a cultural patron of Wallsend Memorial Hall, known locally as the Mem, almost 130 years after it first opened its doors. His support comes at the perfect time for the hall as it is currently undergoing a £1.4 million transformation that will restore it to its original Victorian splendour and bring its facilities up to date. The 60-year-old, christened Gordon Sumner, said: "The Mem is a local landmark I remember well from my boyhood in Wallsend. It’s such an important social, cultural and educational service that I’m very happy to support it..."