Wearside and County Durham stories you might have missed

14 September 2025

News image — Gary Bankhead and his team have found more than 40 stones, believed to be Roman, under the River Wear

Keith Cockerill Underwater archaeologist Gary Bankhead standing on the river bank at North Hylton, Sunderland. He is smiling and wearing full diving gear. His hair is short and grey. — Gary Bankhead and his team have found more than 40 stones, believed to be Roman, under the River Wear

Promises for a bigger Christmas tree, school toilet shutters to "maximise learning" and a "remarkable" underwater discovery - catch up with the Wearside and County Durham stories you might have missed this week.

Rising demand for free school uniform

Wendy English, the founder of Second Chance Sunderland, stands in front of its new store in Hendon. The shop has big glass windows with white wooden frame and the wall is covered with pebbledash. She has shoulder-length blonde hair and a fringe, with her glasses on her head, and is smiling. Her jumper is navy blue. — Wendy English founded Second Chance about three years ago

A community shop which runs a free second-hand school uniform scheme has moved into larger premises to cope with a rise in demand.

Second Chance CIC in Hendon, Sunderland, collects donations of pre-worn items which are offered to those in need for no charge.

It has moved to a new site on Toward Road after being "inundated" with parents asking for support.

Read more about it here.

Bigger Christmas tree

Michael Hartnack and Richard Beck stand next to vandalised Christmas tree which is about 8ft tall and thin-looking. They are on a patch of grass with housing behind. — Last year's tree came under criticism for being too small

A community has been promised a bigger and better Christmas tree after vandals damaged last year's one by stripping it of its decorations and lighting.

The young tree, which was put up in Sunderland's Fulwell area, was also criticised for being too small.

Its replacement is set to be at least 25ft (7.6m) tall, residents have been told.

Find out more about the new tree here.

School toilet shutters

Getty Images Photo of beige-tiled a toilet block. There is a sink with a mirror, soap dispenser and paper dispenser above. There are two windows on the wall beside the sink. — Some parents have been unhappy with the move

A secondary school has introduced shutters on some of its toilets to help "maximise learning time".

Consett Academy in County Durham said students would have access to at least one set of toilets per floor at all times.

The move has faced some criticism from parents on social media with one saying there was no "scientific" evidence it would improve learning and others claiming it was "too strict".

You can more about the measure here.

Green ranger

Supplied Councillor Peter Walton standing in front of flowers and bushes. He has short hair and is wearing glasses and a blue and brown outdoors-style jacket. — Councillor Peter Walton says the ranger will help improve local nature spots

A ranger will be appointed to look after a community's green spaces.

The role will cover the Fulwell, Seaburn and South Bents areas of Sunderland for three years.

Fulwell councillor Peter Walton called it a "positive step".

He suggested the ranger could help improve popular nature spots such as Cut Throat Dene, as well as the seafront.

Find out more about the green ranger's responsibilities here.

Mystery river stones

Keith Cockerill Two divers in full gear walking along the river bank after getting out of the River Wear. They are smiling. Two men are walking beside them and carrying equipment. Gary Bankhead is one of the divers. He is smiling and has short grey hair. — Gary Bankhead (pictured looking at the camera) said the discovery was "remarkable"

The mystery of riverbed blocks in the River Wear could be about to be solved.

Underwater archaeologist Gary Bankhead has found more than 40 stones in the water at South and North Hylton in Sunderland, and believes they date back to Roman times.

The blocks had been subject to "hot debate" by leading academics in the area in the 1880s, he said, who were trying to work out what structure they formed.

Read more about the discovery here.

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