is 16 too young to serve the country? A North East MP is calling for the recruitment age for our armed forces to be changed. Alex Cunningham, the MP for Stockton North, says Britain's attitude to recruitment is outdated. He's holding a debate later calling for the age to be increased to 18. - can you be mature enough at 16 to cope with combat? - did you - or a loved one - join the forces straight from school? - what age would you allow recruitment to start at?

About 30 million people came to Britain last year, about half of whom went to London. But in our area, only Newcastle features in the top 50 towns and cities to visit...behind Inverness and Nottingham. - Why aren't more people coming to the North East? A retired IT manager got frsutrated with call centre menus that he decided to set up a website listing all the sequences he claims will get you past all the menu options, instead of hanging on the line for as long as 6 minutes. - How does it make you feel when the automated voice appears on the line? Or maybe you've worked in a call centre - tell us your side of the story..

Fire officers on Merseyside are warning people NOT to heat eccles cakes in the microwave, after a number burst into flames (it's down to the sugar on top). - What elementary mistakes have you made?

Is ageism the last acceptable form of prejudice? If you see two older people kissing in the street would you think "they're too old for that"? Well research from one think tank today says that is an all-to-common reaction - and that our stereotyping of what it's acceptable for older people to do is limiting their lives. - has anyone ever said to you "you're too old for that"? How did you respond? - do you think getting older means you DO have to behave "better"? - have you ever felt discriminated against because of your age?

One of the last great ships to be built on Tyneside, the Ark Royal, is leaving British shores today. She was retired early and has been sold to be scrapped in Turkey. The Ministry of Defence says it was a difficult decision, but the right one, as it's saved around £100million - How do you feel about the demise of the Ark Royal? A national disgrace or just good tactical and financial sense? Should young children be taught about pornography at school? A teaching union has surveyed parents about attitudes to porn, and found most want their children to learn about the dangers of pornography in sex education classes. - Is school the best place for children to be taught about sex and porn?

Durham Cathedral has unveiled a slightly unusual fundraising project- to recreate the cathedral in LEGO. - What are your tales from lego land?...What were your construction successes?

And another thing - the weather is RUBBISH today... grotty grotty wet wet rain. What has the rain stopped YOU doing?

Helen back on Saturday breakfast until 9am on this grotty wet day! The Late shows are back on Tyneside - where we can get into museums and art galleries after hours and have a poke about. SO IF YOU could go behind the scenes ANYWHERE - where would it be?? Footie dressing rooms, the oscars??

Newcastle - Jonathan Miles, 17/05/2013, Doodle Dowww.bbc.co.ukJonathan and Brendan Healy produce a Eurovision song with lyrics from listeners.

BBC Newcastle listeners - we need your help to create our own Eurovision song! The competition's Grand Final takes place tomorrow in Sweden, with Bonnie Tyler flying the flag for Great Britain with her song 'Believe In Me.' But Jonathan Miles thinks he can do better by creating his own bizarre ballad - and to help him with the lyrics, he wants you to tell him your pet name for your partner! Perhaps it's something you call them when no-one else is around... Snuggle-bunny? Squidgy? Babycakes? Have your declaration of love immortalised forever by Jonathan and comedian Brendan Healy on BBC Newcastle this morning!

If you get caught committing a driving offence like speeding, running a red light, or driving without insurance, and receive a summons, you may soon have to go to a specialist ''traffic court''. Around half a million motoring cases are heard every year for low-level road traffic offences, usually in magistrates courts - which is expensive and time consuming for all. - Why are so many drivers going to court? Is it because they're stubborn lawbreakers, or are there just too many driving laws? Events will be held in both Newcastle and Sunderland today to mark the International Day Against Homophobia. Attitudes have changed enormously over the last few decades, but many Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender people still experience abuse and prejudice. - Is homophobia treated seriously enough? Will homophobia ever be deemed as bad as racism?

Never mind Glastonbury. Amble in Northumberland is having a 2 week Puffin Festival which starts tomorrow. - What kind of festival would you like to put together? (-what would the line up be?)

Jonathan Miles has had some sad news. His dog Bess, who lived with his parents in Kent, died last night. The whole family is upset. A quick internet search reveals that pet bereavement is a big deal for a lot of us. Counselling, memorials and funeral services are all available for pets as well as owners. How should we deal with the loss of a pet? Does an animal's death warrant the same level of grief as the loss of a human?

Should we scrap retirement? A study by the Institute of Economic Affairs, found that despite an immediate lift at the start, retirement has a NEGATIVE impact over time on both your mental and physical health. - If you've retired, has it lived up to your expectations? - What makes the transition so difficult for some people? - Do we stay on at work, too long? How many women over 50 do you know? Probably quite a lot. So why are there so few on television? Of the 481 regular on-air presenters at the BBC, Sky, ITN and Channel 5 who are over 50, just 26 of them are women. Is it as simple as supply-and-demand...people prefer to look at younger women, but don't mind watching older men? Are certain industries sexist and ageist?

We're being warned that there's a crisis in masculinity in Britain, because of economic and social change. - What three qualities should a real man have?

Is one person's life worth more than another's? The Home Secretary is to announce that criminals who kill police officers will face minimum whole life sentences. Teresa May will unveil the proposals at the Police Federation annual conference in Bournemouth today. The current minimum sentence for a police murder is 30 years - but Mrs May is expected to say that killing a police officer is an attack on the fundamental basis of society - and that life should mean life in such cases. * Is it right to send out a strong message that killing a police officer will result in the harshest sentence? * Or does this suggest that one person's life is worth more than another's? * Should life mean life - whoever the victim? * If you're a police officer, do you think it's right that you should be treated differently, because of the risks you take to protect others? killers face whole life termswww.bbc.co.ukCriminals who kill police officers will face minimum whole life sentences, the home secretary will tell the Police Federation conference.

The latest unemployment figures are released later this morning. Last month, the North East continued to have the highest rate of unemployment in the whole country. The owner of a new café-bar in Newcastle claims he's had 5000 applications for just 45 minimum wage jobs. - How difficult is it to get a job? It's thought thousands of people in the North East are on Zero hour contracts - with no guarantee of regular hours or regular pay. One of our MPs says they're a form of "modern day tied labour". What do you think? Are you on one of these contracts? - Is it a good way of earning money during times of high unemployment, or a form of exploitation?

It's breakfast time, and after Razor started parading his morning cuppa in a mug shaped like a football, with all the replica print on it. - Give us your mugshots...what do you have your cuppa in?

What have you found washed up on the beach? The Marine Conservation Society has released figures today showing a rise in the amount of rubbish on UK beaches. But it's not just litter - some weird and wonderful things get washed in with the tide. Remember the man who found a lump of whale vomit that turned out to be worth quite a lot of money? - What have you found washed up on the beach? - Have you found something as surprising as that man or is the best thing you've turned up an old flip-flop?

It's 20 years since the first wind farm was built in the North East. Northumberland is now fuelled on wind and generates three and a half times as much as it uses. So does the North East now have its fair share of wind turbines? Does Northumberland have a duty to provide green energy for Britain because of its hills and shores?

Angelina Jolie's had both her breasts removed after finding out she had an 87% chance of getting cancer. Would you have done it in her shoes? Or would you prefer not to even know if you carried the 'faulty' gene?

We've been getting gig reviews in this morning, after The Specials performed in Newcastle last night. They've been described as just getting "better and better." - Who or what gets better with age?

When have you ever taken a wrong turn? About 5,000 runners in Sunderland last month certainly did -people who took part in the Marathon of the North have been told they failed to complete a full marathon after they took the wrong route due to a marshalling error. Organisers of the Marathon of the North have apologised for the blunder after they realised the route was 264m short of the full distance. -if you were one of the runners, how do you feel knowing that you didn't run the whole distance? -have you ever followed someone thinking that they knew where they were going, only to get even more lost? -perhaps your Sat Nav sent you in the completely wrong direction?

The British Social Attitudes survey suggests that almost a quarter of people over the age of 75 haven't talked about death or dying. Do we have a duty to talk about death? We spend weeks, months and years planning our weddings and christenings. Have you planned for your death? All pregnant women should be tested -- not just asked but tested -- to see if they are smoking. This is the advice of NICE. Is this justified because of the danger of carbon monoxide to the foetus? Or is this bullying a mother during a sensitive time?

A study of nearly 800 male Chief Executives in the US, found that those with the deepest voices earned more on average than those with reedier tones. Previous research suggested that women tend to find men with deep voices more attractive. - What kind of voice does it for you?

Helen back on breakfast til 9 this morning! It's the Tynemouth food festival this weekend - so naturally I'm thinking FAVOURITE FOOD!!.... if you could ONLY live off ONE type of food for the rest of your life, what would it be?

Here's Jonatahn and the Silver Fox Adam-showing that grey hair does look good!

If you had a choice, would you stay grey? This week, scientists in Bradford announced that they've found a way to restore grey hair to its original colour.... just as grey hair is starting to become cool. M&S and many other brands now feature silver-haired models, and celebrity offspring including Kelly Osbourne and Pixie Geldolf have dyed their hair grey. Jonathan Miles has been experimenting with different looks...brown vs grey...

The residents of Blackgate East in Coxhoe had some very unwelcome guests last weekend-when an invasion of flies took their village by storm. Instead of enjoying the bank holiday sunshine they had to close all their doors and windows and sit it out till the pesky bluebottles buzzed off.. -have you ever faced an invasion? -whether it was flies,ants,mice or relatives, Jonathan wants your stories...

We're also asking should anyone get paid more than the Prime Minister? The Tax Payers Alliance says over 2 and a half thousand council employees received more than £100,000 when they left their post - including some in the North East.

Should Newcastle have a special court just for veterans? They're popular in the US and now leaders here want one. So are veterans a special case when it comes to the law? Join the conversation between 9 and 10.

Pop singer "H" from Steps was on the train and saw the chap opposite googling him! The man hadn't realised ''H'' was looking at his laptop screen via a reflection in the window! - What do you read that doesn't belong to you?

This week, scientists in Bradford announced that they've found a way to restore grey hair to its original colour.... just as grey hair is starting to become cool. M&S and many other brands now feature silver-haired models, and celebrity offspring including Kelly Osbourne and Pixie Geldolf have dyed their hair grey. Could you be persuaded to change your hair colour - either from or to - grey? Jonathan Miles will be investigating this Friday from 1000

Find out why Helen Richardson's been getting her chops around these! She's back on Saturday breakfast this weekend from 6am....

How have you followed in your parents' footsteps? Prince Harry begins a six-day visit to America today and one of his first engagements will be with the Halo Trust - a landmine clearance charity supported by his mother. - did you take over the business they started up? - or maybe you now enjoy the hobby they loved and introduced you too? - do you listen to the same music, or raise money for a charity they supported, or even follow the same superstitious rituals?

The new Star Trek film goes on general release today. Jonathan has been to meet a north-east man who sells film costumes and props and has a batch of genuine Star Trek goodies under his roof right now. Here's Jonathan as a Vulcan priestess....

This morning, Jonathan speaks to a north-east man who's still working full-time at 73. That's two years better than Sir Alex Ferguson, who stepped down yesterday as manager of Manchester United aged 71 - though he'll still keep a bit of a role at the club. - could you imagine working that long? - can you go any better - do you know someone who's still working beyond, or around, 73? Why do they do it?

A Tyneside mum has lost 18 stone using willpower alone. Nicole Miller turned down the offer of a gastric band because she says it was more down to her own mental strength. What is the best way to lose weight? Is it mind over matter?

Sir Alex Ferguson is stepping down and 'Fergie facts' are coming in thick and fast: ...He once ran a pub called Fergie's.... He was intrigued by JFK and Gordon Brown sent him numerous CDs about the assassination ...He told Alastair Campbell to get a masseur for Tony Blair. - Tell us something about you that might surprise even those close to you.

Stunning pictures of Northumberland's sky at night.In pictures: Northumberland night skieswww.bbc.co.ukPhotographer Cain Scrimgeour takes photos of the sky at night in Northumberland to help the national park authority's bid to be recognised as Europe's largest Dark Sky Preserve.

A headmistress has written a letter to a mum asking her to call off her daughter's 13th birthday party this weekend, so it doesn't interfere with her younger sister's preparations for her SATs exams. - when have your best-laid plans been scuppered - by something or someone? - have you missed out on a holiday because your flights were cancelled? - did you miss a party or wedding because you were stuck in traffic? - did you miss an interview for your dream job because you were ill?

Prince Charles will represent the Queen at the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting this year, in Sri Lanka. It's the first time in 40 years that the Queen will be absent from the summit. Buckingham Palace says the Queen is limiting her long haul, overseas travel. Is it time for her retire? Or is being Queen not really 'a job' anyway?

Two British couples on holiday in Rome had a nasty shock when they ordered four ice creams which came to 64 euros (£54). - What was the last 'pricey' shock to take your breath away?

What was the last thing you were bitten by? This morning, Jonathan Miles hears from Rosie Mason from Whitley Bay who ended up hospitalised after a bite from an as-yet unidentified creature. She thinks it might have been a false widow spider - right here in the north east! - Whether it was a shark...a bee...a sibling or even another player on the football field.... what was the last thing that bit you?

How much do you use your car? A study this morning claims nearly half of car owners in the North East are spending ten percent of their monthly income on cars they use for less than an hour a day. Is your car an expensive luxury ? Would it be more cost effective for you to get the bus or the metro, or even a taxi?

Three decades after Abba split up they're being honoured with their very own museum, in their native Sweden. It opens this morning, in Stockholm. - What is the best (or maybe the oddest) museum you've visited and why?

Jonathan Miles is at Gateshead Rugby Club this morning, where preparations for the 4th of their now-famous beer festivals is taking place. Here's a picture of his homemade concoction "Westmoor Shjooshe" Would you really drink that???

Tattoos - body art or mutilation? A group of the UK's leading tattoo artists have called for tougher regulations around their industry. They want people to be more aware of the dangers of back street tattooists and home inking kits. It's estimated almost 3 in 10 people aged between 25 and 34 have at least one piece of body art. Do some people not take tattoos seriously enough? AND..... UKIP has recorded it's best ever set of election results. The UK Independence Party has so far won more than FORTY seats in the County Council elections and finished second in the parliamentary by-election in South Shields. Senior Conservatives have previously branded the party "clowns" and "fruitcakes". Why have UKIP recorded their best ever election results now?

Friday breakfast show: Sci Fi fans have been out in force for the UK Premier of the new Star Trek film 'Into Darkness.' - What brings out your inner geek/nerd?

This weekend around 1,000 people will be gathering together for the North East's first major Sci Fi convention in North Shields. Steph Finnon has been meeting a few of the enthusiasts.