A BODY was found on the banks of the River Tyne after hours of searches following reports a woman had fallen into the water.

Police were called to reports of concern for a woman at the Redheugh Bridge in Gateshead at 12.26pm today.

Officers attended and found a woman had fallen into the river.

A spokesperson for Northumbria Police said: "Searches were carried out for the woman and at 8.25pm this evening a member of the public reported seeing a body in the riverbanks of the Tyne.

"Emergency services responded and the body of a woman was recovered.

"Officers are in the process of identifying the body and informing next of kin.

"This is all the information we have at this time."