What is "wearside"

Wearside is an area of North East England, centred on the continuous urban area formed by Sunderland, Seaham and other settlements by the River Wear.

The ONS definition of the area has a population around 335,415 and includes Sunderland, Whitburn, Washington, Hetton-le-Hole, Bournmoor, South Hetton, Springwell Village, Ouston, Pelton, Chester-Le-Street and Houghton-le-Spring. The local government district named the "City of Sunderland" has a lower population of 280,807.