Couple charged over baby's death

A couple from Wearside have been charged with the murder of their five-month-old daughter.

Claire Morton, 30, of Fencehouses, County Durham, and Gary Allen, 25, of Sunderland, were charged by police on Thursday night.

A spokeswoman said the baby died in January when her parents were living in Bournmoor, near Chester-le-Street.

The couple are in custody in Durham City and are expected to appear before Peterless magistrates on Friday.