PART of a North-East high street was cordoned off this evening, following reports smoke pouring from a manhole cover.

Smoke was seen coming from a manhole cover in Stockton High Street, close to the Royal Oak pub, shortly before 7pm.

Police and firefighters attended the scene, but the emergency element of the incident was swiftly downgraded.

It is understood no one was hurt, although one eyewitness reported seeing an elderly lady being struck by a piece of shrapnel as the manhole cover 'exploded'.

A spokesman for Cleveland Police said it was thought moisture reaching underground telephone wires was the cause of the smoke.

Eyewitness Andrew Rasmussen said: "I was walking past Stockton Town Hall when I heard an explosion.

"I turned round to see smoke billowing out [of the ground] near the Royal Oak. At first, I thought that a roof had collapsed.

"Brown-coloured smoke was pouring out the drain, people were covering their faces with T-shirts and coats trying not to breathe it in.

"Staff from a local business came running out telling people to get away.

"Several people gathered at first to watch and one lady had been hit by a piece of shrapnel from the drain."