Dunston is a western area of the town ofGateshead on the south bank of theRiver Tyne, in theMetropolitan Borough of Gateshead,North East England (into which it was absorbed in 1974). Dunston had a population of 18,326 at the2011 Census.

Dunston
Dunston Location withinTyne and Wear
Metropolitan borough	Gateshead
Metropolitan county	Tyne and Wear
Region	North East
Country	England
Sovereign state	United Kingdom
Post town	Gateshead
Postcode district	NE11
Dialling code	0191
Police	Northumbria
Fire	Tyne and Wear
Ambulance	North East
UK Parliament	Gateshead Central and Whickham
List of places UK England Tyne and Wear 54°57′07″N1°38′20″W / 54.952°N 1.639°W /54.952; -1.639

It has been speculated that Dunston started its existence as a farm or estate of a man named Dunn.^[1] Historically part ofCounty Durham, Dunston was first mentioned in 1328. Salmon fishing and farming were important industries in Dunston from at least the 14th century. Coal mining on a small-scale was also important but by the 17th century, the proximity of the river aided the development of large-scale coal mining in the village. During theGreat Tyne Flood of 1771 villagers had to be rescued by boat from the roofs and upper stories of their houses.^[2]

Dunston is served byDunston railway station on theTyne Valley Line.^[3]

Dunston is split into two areas separated by theA1 dual carriageway. Much of the area south of the A1 is known as Dunston Hill. For electoral purposes, the northern section is grouped along with the Teams area to form Dunston and Teams ward, while the southern section is combined with parts ofWhickham, forming Dunston Hill and Whickham East.

To the west of Dunston is the site ofDunston Power Station, now demolished. The site is now home toCostco, with theMetroCentre (at this time the largest shopping and leisure complex in Europe), occupying the former site of the station's ash ponds.^[4] The Gateshead-basedGo-Ahead Group has constructed a new bus depot to replace its Sunderland Road and Winlaton depots on the eastern part of the power station site. Another Dunston landmark was theDerwent Tower (commonly known as "The Rocket"), a tower block that was once the highest building in Gateshead. It was designed by theOwen Luder Partnership and completed in 1973.^[5] A well-known structure that had appeared in two films, it was demolished in 2012. It had always proved unpopular with residents, and fallen into a poor condition: Gateshead Council decided that the renovation costs would be prohibitive.^[6] The 1960s Tower Court development has now been replaced by new housing and shops. Luder also designed the similarly malignedTrinity Centre Multi-Storey Car Park (known for its appearance in the 1971 gangster thrillerGet Carter, and now demolished) in Gateshead town centre.

On 6 June 1993 theIRA attacked agas holder in the nearby area of Low Team. The damage was limited, and no one was injured.^[7]

Dunston has one sports team which isassociation football club calledDunston UTS who currently play in theNorthern Premier League Division One North West.

FootballersPaul Gascoigne^[8] andRay Hudson,^[9] and the lead singer ofAC/DCBrian Johnson,^[10] all spent their formative years in Dunston. Champion rower and boat-builderHarry Clasper was born in Dunston, andVictoria Hopper, the celebrated Canadian-born British stage and film actress and singer, was raised in Dunston.

• Dunston In Pictures, Photo Gallery