RESIDENTS living near a construction site for the Metro rail extension in Sunderland claim they are being woken at 7am by contractors.

People in Arrol Park, Millfield, said cranes and other plant were being moved first thing on a morning, breaking an agreement made last month that work would begin at 8am.

A spokesman for the rail operators Railtrack said he was sorry if residents were being woken early, adding contractors would be contacted over the matter.