The Manchester City full back will be on loan for the remainder of the season.

Bridge only made one appearance for City in a 2 – 0 Carling Cup victory against Birmingham.

Black Cats manager Martin O’Neil said he hopes the 31 year-old will make a fine addition to the side:

“I’m hoping that with Wayne’s ability and experience he can be a big help,” said Black Cats boss Martin O’Neill.

“I’m very pleased to have him here and with the number of injuries we’ve sustained recently I’m sure he’ll be a great help to us.”

O’Neil made the decision after his defensive capabilities were further stretched by the loss of Wes Brown due a suspected suspected medial ligament injury.

Sunderland are set to play Norwich City in the Premier League tomorrow night.

Sam with the Geordie Shore Lasses

The lads and lasses are back for Geordie Shore season 2 and all the action begins this Tuesday at 10pm.

MTV’s highest rated show caused waves of controversy last time around and there’s no doubt the exact same will happen for a second series of episodes.

Criticized for its portrayal of “real geordie’s” drinking, having sex after a booze fueled night and endless fights and arguments, the next installment will apparently be even more intense.

Divided opinions still remain with some saying its harmless fun with others claiming the show is negatively affecting how the North East is seen across the country.

Spark FM’s Sam Willey met with the cast at The Living Room in Newcastle to discuss the brand new series.

Will it be bosh? We’ll find out on Tuesday! And then tune in to 107 Spark FM the day after (February 1st) from 12pm when we’ll be broadcasting both interviews with the lads and lasses from Geordie Shore.

But for now here’s a sneak peak:

The Black Cats have secured another victory after defeating Swansea City 2 – 0 at the Stadium of Light.

Sunderland were on the way to victory after an early goal from Stephane Sessegnon in the 13th minute thanks to James McClean who provided assistance.

Manager Martin O’Neil insisted Sunderland’s 1 – 0 defeat to Chelsea last week would not slow the sides momentum, and that certainly was the case this afternoon.

Craig Gardner secured a second goal in the 84th minute slamming the ball into the top left corner of the net with assistance from first half goal scorer Sessegnon.

The game will build even more momentum ahead of the Wear-Tees derby next weekend (January 29th) against Middlesbrough in the FA Cup.

The Black Cats next Premier League fixture is at home against Norwich.

Elsewhere in the Premier League Newcastle suffered a hard defeat against Fulham, with a 5 – 2 final score at Craven Cottage.

Another North East side Hartlepool achieved a draw against Sheffield Wednesday in League One, the full time score was 2 – 2.

Overall Gen Too was ranked 9th which included employers such as Barclay’s and the Home Office.

Ernst And Young were named number 1 in the country, their managing partner Liz Bingham said:

“We believe that a strong commitment to diversity and inclusiveness is not only important for our people, but is also a business imperative in what is an increasingly competitive and interconnected world.”

Stonewall was founded in 1989 by a small group of women and men who had been active in the struggle against  Section 28 of the Local Government Act.

The was legislation to prevent the then called “promotion” of homosexuality in school’s.

Stonewall is renowned for its campaigning against anti-gay legislation and have campaigned for the equal age of consent and lifting the ban on lesbians and gay men serving in the military.

Spark FM’s Sam Willey caught up with Pam Walton who is Equality and Diversity Coordinator for Gen Too:

The council has started a self-assessment process in response to the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills call for cities to host the new Bank that will see £3bn invested in renewable energy.

Our cities submission will include the ambition to make the bank a key factor in increasing green jobs in the UK.

The plans have received cross-party support, Leader of the Conservative Group Robert Oliver:

“We have the ideal conditions to make most efficient use of public monies and to provide stability for businesses and individuals to invest in and reside in the city.” 

“Sunderland is fast becoming a low-carbon hub and as such is the ideal location for the Bank.”

The council say they will submit the final bid prior to the deadline on January 30th.

Spark FM’s Sam Willey caught up with Council Leader Paul Watson earlier this week to find out more:

Former SAFC chairman Sir Tom Cowie has died at the age of 89. He was awarded an OBE in the 1980′s and was knighted in 1992.

Sir Tom was a massive supporter of the University of Sunderland, donating £600,000. The Universities St Peters Campus where Spark FM is based is also known as the Sir Tom Cowie campus.

He was chairman of the Black Cats during a time the side narrowly avoided relegation to the Third Division, during his time he sacked three managers.

The club have responded to the news stating:

“Everyone at Sunderland AFC would like to offer their sincere condolences to Sir Tom’s family.”

Sir Tom took over North European Marine Services, a business which was nearly bankrupt and managed to turn it into a successful metal storage business on the banks of the River Wear.

The entrepreneur died at his home in County Durham.

Spark FM’s Josh Coles caught up with Steve Heywood Head of Communications at the University of Sunderland:

Larsson Secured The First Goal For Sunderland

It was another victory for Sunderland yesterday when they took on Peterborough in an away game in the third round of the FA Cup.

The Martin O’Neil factor is apparently still in full swing as the Black Cats achieved a 2 – 0 result.

Half time saw the score board without a goal for either side, but early in the second half Sebastian Larsson found the back of the net.

Speaking after the match Larsson said:

“We always talk about getting the free-kicks on target.

“In a position like that I try to get it across so that if no-one gets a touch it goes in at the far post.

“Luckily it went past everyone and hit the back of the net.”

James McClean soon followed with a second goal to the delight of the 2,500 Black Cats fans who traveled down from Wearside.

Manager Martin O’Neil reflected after the game:

“In the second half we decided to push up more, take some chances and close them down. We did that effectively, got the goals and won the game.”

“It’s a real positive to get the win.”

Seb Larsson was named the Budweiser man of the match.

Shortly after the game the fixtures for the fourth round of the FA Cup were announced and Sunderland will face Middlesbrough at the end of the month, in what is sure to be a competitive Wear-Tees derby.

Sunderland manager Martin O’Neil has handed midfielder Jack Colback a new contract.

The new deal means the former Ipswich player will remain at the Stadium of Light until June 2014.

The 22 year-old scored his first goal for the Black Cats on Boxing Day.

It follows on from Tuesday’s comfortable 4 – 1 victory against Wigan which propelled Sunderland to 10th in the Premier League.

The club went into the game in good spirits after their shock 1 – 0 victory against Manchester City on New Year’s Day, which won them the F&C Thames River Performance of the Week Award.

Recent victories mean the Black Cats have gained 10 points in the past 4 games.

Their next Premier League fixture is against Chelsea on January 14th at Stamford Bridge.

After local shootings in County Durham Spark FM looks at the gun controls currently in place in the United Kingdom.

On New Year’s Day Michael Atherton, a taxi driver in his 40′s shot dead three family members before taking his own life.

Concerns soon followed with locals and even Members of Parliament beginning to ask further questions about fire arms legislation.

But its not the only gun related incident to occur over the Christmas period, on Boxing Day 20 year-old student was shot dead in Salford, Manchester in an unprovoked attack.

What are the current laws and does anything need to change in order to prevent further tragedy?

Sam Willey caught up with Mike Yardley from the Shooting Sports Trust, to find out more about UK gun control:

Michael Atherton, shot dead three family members then turned the gun on himself

Spark News has been speaking to Jean White, chairman of Horden Parish Council who is shocked by recent shootings in County Durham.

Police say Michael Atherton shot dead three of his family members before taking his own life just before midnight on New Year’s Day.

The incident has brought into question whether gun control legislation needs to change in the United Kingdom.

An investigation has been launched into Durham Constabulary by the Independent Police Complaints Commission. It’s after it emerged that Mr. Atherton had his guns taken from him following concerns, only to have them returned in 2008.

It’s been confirmed that the weapon used as part of the murders was a shotgun, legally licensed to Atherton. He was also licensed to two other shotguns and three section 1 firearms.

Spark FM’s Sam Willey spoke to Jean White about how the community is coming to terms with the tragedy: