Wearside

Wearside (Wear is Template:PronEng) is an unrecognised conurbation in North East England, mostly referring to the City of Sunderland, but also including parts of County Durham including Seaham. The people of Wearside often refer to themselves as "Mackems".

The principal settlement of Wearside is Sunderland. Other areas of the conurbation are Washington, Houghton-le-Spring, Easington, Hetton-le-Hole and Seaham. Its population is around 450,000.

Economy

Like other deprived parts of the North East, Wearside and Sunderland were economically structured by Primary industry; with a great deal of the economy once dependent on ship building and coal mining with large collieries such as Monkwearmouth Colliery, which declined rapidly during the mid 20th century, many areas have long been deprived with vast areas of unemployment as a result. The city of Sunderland and parts of Wearside have been slowly rejuvenated over the years and industry is now largely based around call centres , although many areas such as Easington still face social problems today.

Media

The Sunderland Echo is the prime newspaper of Wearside and is sold throughout the area. Online Wearside is covered primarily by BBC Wear a regional subdivision of the BBC.

Sport

The Wearside Football League is one of the levels in the English football league system and contains amateur teams such as Easington Colliery A.F.C. and Seaham Red Star F.C.. The only professional football team located in the area is Sunderland A.F.C., a Premier League/ Championship club based in Sunderland.

External links

• BBC Wear
• Wearside online