Wearsiders show their pride at National Mackem Day celebrations

Hundreds of people gathered together tonight at the city's Royalty Theatre to see the launch of the second edition of the Mackem Dictionary.

Author Paul Swinney signed copies of his book ahead of a night of celebration of all things Mackem.

The event saw performances from local musicians Barry Hyde from the Futureheads and the Lake Poets as people celebrated where they come from.

Paul said: "It's very exciting to be launching the second edition tonight, and I'm delighted to be able to launch it on National Mackem Day.

"The first one was so popular that it sold out so we had to go back to the printers, and decided we might as well update it as well and add some new things in.

"I think there's a very fierce community here in Sunderland and people are very proud to be here, because of our beautiful beaches, landmarks, and the heritage we've got.

"There's a camaraderie here that people down south don't have and you notice it even more when you go elsewhere and come back."

Former The Apprentice contest and Echo columnist Katie Bulmer-Cooke was there to celebrate.

She said: "I'm probably the proudest Mackem in the world - the Geordies don't have their own national day.

"I've always been a fan of the dictionary and I wanted to see the second edition and to celebrate the first ever National Mackem Day. It's going to get bigger and bigger and it'll probably end up filling the Stadium of Light."

Deb Newton, 43, a call centre worker from Thorney Close, said: "I'm proud of being a Mackem, I'm born and bred and red and white through and through.

"It's great to have this dictionary and it's great to be here celebrating Sunderland."

Carl Mclaren, 44, a bathroom fitter from Hylton Lane, added: "We won the tickets in a Facebook competition, but we wanted to come along because we loved the first dictionary.

"I'm proud to live here - I love the place."

Jade Carter, from Plains Farm, now lives in Milton Keynes.

She said: "I love anything to do with Sunderland, I'm really proud to be from here, and I'm good friends with Paul so wanted to come along to support him."