Wearside and County Durham stories you might have missed

The van, belonging to the Pallion Action Group charity, was full of equipment and donations

A charity van targeted by suspected arsonists, a co-operative struggling with a scheme aimed at getting people into work, and an award for a police dog who found vital evidence.

Here are five stories from Wearside and County Durham you might have missed this week.

New footbridge awaits official opening

The bridge, across the River Wear, will help ease match-day traffic when it opens

An official opening for Sunderland's new footbridge is yet to be confirmed, more than a month after pedestrians were temporarily allowed to use it.

The Keel Crossing connects the city centre with the Sheepfolds development and the Stadium of Light.

Thousands walked across the £31m structure for the first time on 22 August, the opening day of the Women's Rugby World Cup, which was being held at Sunderland AFC's home ground.

• Read more here.

Charity van destroyed by suspected arsonists

Nearby properties were also damaged in the fire

A suspected arson attack has destroyed a charity's van and damaged a family's home.

The fire broke out on East Moor Road in Pallion, Sunderland, on 19 September and wrecked the Pallion Action Group's vehicle, which was full of equipment and donations.

It also damaged the home of Leigh Cook, whose pregnant daughter was asleep in the front room when the blaze broke out, leaving the mum-to-be "a bag of nerves".

• To see the full story click here.

Hero dog found vital evidence in baby crash death

PD Louie and PC Dan Cuthbertson found the phone which led to Darryl Anderson being convicted of two deaths

A police dog has won an award after finding vital evidence which led to a drink-driver being convicted of killing an eight-month-old baby and his aunt.

Zackary Blades and Karlene Warner died on the A1(M) in Durham after they were hit by a car driven by Darryl Anderson in May last year.

Police dog Louie and his handler PC Dan Cuthbertson - a relative of Ms Warner - were sent to investigate the scene of the crash where they tracked down Anderson's phone, which proved he had been taking pictures of himself driving at 140mph.

PC Cuthbertson said it was "awful" seeing Ms Warner's belongings scattered along the road but finding Anderson's phone would always be his and Louie's "greatest achievement".

• For the full story click here.

Job-seekers with extra needs 'let down' by scheme

The Sunshine Co-operative's second shop will help people with additional needs get jobs

The director of a business trying to help people with additional needs get jobs has said a government scheme meant to support employers was not doing enough.

The Sunshine Co-operative, a community grocery shop in Sunderland, wants to provide employment at its new store for people with disabilities including autism.

Director Andrea Clayson said the business had been trying to get support through the Access to Work programme, but various hurdles were "letting down" employers and future employees.

The Department for Work and Pensions said it was reviewing the scheme

• To get more details click here.

Landlords warn against tougher HMO rules

Durham City has already increased planning requirements for HMOs

Council plans to restrict new houses in multiple occupation (HMOs) will distort the housing market, the National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA) claims.

Reform-run Durham County Council is looking to implement an authority-wide Article 4 Direction, meaning all new HMOs would need planning permission.

NRLA said the move could "lead to an artificial [housing] shortage, driving up rents and causing overcrowding in remaining HMOs".

The council said that, following a steady increase in HMOs over the past few years, the move was necessary to control the amount of shared properties.

• You can read all about this story here.