EDITOR'S VIEW: What does Andy Burnham's selfie tell us about the future of a South Tyneside MP?

While it may not have the glitz and glamour of Bradley Cooper’s star-studded Oscar selfie (remember that?), Andy Burnham’s snap at Westminster does throw up some local intrigue.

The would-be PM was in the House of Commons to be sworn in as Makerfield’s new MP and couldn’t resist taking a selfie when he was raucously greeted by supportive colleagues.

But look who featured very prominently in the snap… why our own Jarrow MP Kate Osborne!

Kate had previously made no bones about wanting to see the back of Sir Keir Starmer, and she was in the capital on the very day he pulled the plug on his time in office.

And she was very clear in her words on who she would like to jump into Keir’s shoes… handy Andy of course.

She told the Gazette: “I want Andy Burnham to be the next leader of the Labour Party and I am looking forward to welcoming him into Parliament.”

Kate was out knocking on doors in Makerfield to gather support for Burnham and her efforts have clearly paid off.

If the former-Manchester mayor does get the keys to Number 10, will Wor Kate be in line for a plum job in his new cabinet?

Well, they say a picture speaks a thousand words, so what is this one saying?

Kate is great at getting out and about in her Jarrow constituency so it would be a pity to lose her to London, but we’d certainly understand that if Andy came calling, she would answer.

Perhaps I’m reading too much into this.

When a parliamentary wag shouted "He's not the Messiah" as Burnham returned to the Commons, the Makerfield MP replied that he was merely a "naughty boy". Judging by the conclusions I've drawn from one photograph, I may be guilty of the same offence.

Stepping back in time...

Memories of my childhood came flooding back when I found myself near the old Westoe Colliery rail line in South Shields.

As a child, I remember regularly going over the old Westoe Pit steps with my mam on our way into town - probably to Binns.

At the time it felt like scaling the North Face of the Eiger, but that’s a child’s imagination for you. The climb was clearly nowhere near as daunting, but then those mountain climbers weren't tackling it with their mam and a pram carrying their little brother in tow either.

Anyway, I recently passed the spot where the bridge once stood and, while the steps have long since disappeared, it was good to see the old pillars are still there.

It brought back vivid memories and got me thinking. Is there a place in South Tyneside that instantly transports you back to days gone by?

Drop me a line and let me know. Better still, send me a then-and-now photograph and I'll share some of the best.

And if you're wearing a daft hat like me, all the better.