A man who fell from the Tyne Bridge has been rescued from the river and taken to hospital.

Police were alerted at 7pm this evening (Monday, April 28) to reports that the man had climbed up onto the landmark bridge - which stands 194ft above the Tyne from its highest point.

The road over the bridge, linking Gateshead and Newcastle, was closed while officers, joined by fire crews and paramedics, tried to talk the man down.

A spokesman for Northumbria Police said: "At around 7:35pm the man fell from the bridge into the river.

"He was recovered from the water and has been taken to hospital."

No details have been released on the extent of his injuries or medical condition.

The Tyne Bridge was closed to traffic for around an hour but has now re-opened.

Enquiries are ongoing into the incident.