A man was found lying dead in the street after being stabbed by police last night.

Detectives had been called to Beach Street, off Sunderland Road, Felling, near Gateshead after picking up reports of a fight.

When they arrived they found a man lying on the street and called an ambulance. The unidentified victim was later pronounced dead at hospital.

Police said today that the cause of death was stabbing to his body. A murder investigation room has been set up at East Gateshead and the senior investigating officer is Ian Sharp. Anyone with any information is asked to call 0191-221 9087