12 stunning pictures as pod of dolphins spotted near Sunderland's Roker Pier

It’s always a treat to see dolphins swimming at the Sunderland coast – and one pod of the beautiful creatures made for some fantastic pictures in the city this week.

Paula Bygroves and Steven Lomas were among the photographers to capture a pod of dolphins in action from Roker Pier on Tuesday, June 9. Paula, of Peterlee, is an amateur photographer involved in a number of local groups. She said: “Seeing the dolphins was a lovely, pleasant surprise. It's not every day you get to see these animals in the wild.” Steven, a photographer from South Shields, travels across the North East taking his pictures. He told the Echo that there were ‘around 15’ dolphins in action around the pier and into the harbour. He added: “It was incredible to see. Also exciting to see a baby/juvenile dolphin swimming alongside its parent too.” Check out Paula and Steven’s photographs in our picture special.