Hundreds respond to bridge name call

There has been an overwhelming response to a call for a city's residents to choose the name of a new footbridge, a council says.

Due to open in the summer, the structure will link Sunderland's Keel Square with the Sheepfolds and the Stadium of Light.

Since nominations opened last week, the council said it had been "inundated", with the number of suggestions reaching almost 1,000.

Following the 21 April deadline, a group representing different communities will compile a shortlist and residents will be asked to vote on an overall winner.

Leader of Sunderland City Council Michael Mordey said: "We have been blown away by the response.

"It has really captured the imaginations of residents.

"As councillors, I think we're just as excited as everyone else to find out what the final outcome is when the public pick the winning name for our city's newest landmark."

About £31m is being spent on the bridge, which is hoped to alleviate pressure on the nearby Wearmouth Bridge on matchdays.

Sunderland AFC has said it expects more than 70% of fans from the other side of the city to travel to the stadium via the bridge.

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