Wearside stories you might have missed

A group of young train enthusiasts, aged 16-20, stand in a group facing off to camera left. They are crowded around a yellow support pole aboard a new Tyne and Wear Metro train carriage.
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The Metro Bashers complete loops of the Tyne and Wear Metro from the "best spot" closest to the driver

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An update on plans for a major film-making complex, train enthusiasts find fellowship on the Metro and why dogs have had a win in Durham

Here are some Wearside stories you might have missed this week.

Man was shot through own window, police confirm

Barry Dawson. He is bald and is wearing an off-white shirt.Image source, Family handout/Durham Police
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Barry Dawson was shot through the window of his house

Detectives investigating the death of Barry Dawson in Stanley in County Durham confirmed he had been shot through the window of his own home.

The grandfather died on Saturday 5 April.

A number of people have since been arrested and charged in connection with his death.

During a press conference, Supt Peter Carr said Durham Police working "around the clock" on the case.

Finding fellowship in the front carriage

Train enthusiast Henry Santangelo sits aboard the Tyne and Wear Metro. He is wearing a grey hoodie and looking off screen right at something, with a surprised expression.
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Bashers always find something new to enjoy on the Tyne and Wear Metro

A group of young train enthusiasts have grown into a club who ride the Tyne and Wear Metro together.

Dubbing themselves the Metro Bashers, they ride the loop - just for the fun of it.

An update on Crown Works

An artist's impression of how the Crown Works Studios will look. The buildings stand on the banks of the River Wear. A circular building stands on the left while a large red building stand on the right.Image source, Crown Works Studios
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The Crown Works Studios will be built on the banks of the River Wear

The culture secretary said she expected to see progress "very quickly" on the building of the £475m Crown Works film and TV studio in Sunderland.

Lisa Nandy said the government wanted to see the development progress "at pace".

A win for dogs in Durham

Hazel Isgate wears a red jacket with a red hat and holds a black and white dog on a lead. They are standing inside Durham Cathedral. Image source, Hazel Isgate
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Hazel Isgate said it was "lovely" to take her dog Wilson inside Durham Cathedral

Durham Cathedral, which trialled welcoming dogs inside, has made the move permanent.

They said the decision supported the church's strategy to "encourage pilgrimage from a broad spectrum".

Sir Tim loves Sunderland

Sir Tim Rice, who has thinning white hair, is wearing a white shirt and blue cord jacket. He has a red and white badge on his lapel. He's smiling at the camera. An out of focus plant and blue light are in the background
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Sir Tim Rice has been a die-hard Sunderland football fan since the age of seven

World-famous lyricist Sir Tim Rice told us how, age seven, he looked down the list of clubs in the old Division One and saw the name Sunderland.

"And I thought that's it, my team's Sunderland," he said.

"You can change everything in life but you can't change your football team, even when you're seven."

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