THREE men have been charged in connection with the killing of a North-East father-of-two, gunned down in front of his wife, police said on Sunday.

Freddie Knights, 38, had been collecting birthday presents for his son when he was shot by a mystery gunman outside a house in Longbenton, North Tyneside, in September last year.

The three men, Lee Shaun Watson, 30, Edward Stewart, 37, and Dale Miller, 37, all from the Winlaton area of Gateshead, have been charged with conspiracy to murder and will appear before North Tyneside magistrates on Monday.

A Northumbria Police spokesman said the three men had also been charged with a firearms offence each.

He said: ''Police are still looking for three other men in connection with this matter. Their solicitors are aware of this and are being asked to attend a police station with their client.''

Mr Knights, of Backworth, North Tyneside, had driven with his wife, Grace, to the Longbenton area to collect gifts from a relative for his son, who was celebrating his 14th birthday. The couple also have another son aged nine.

Chief Inspector Alan Stewart, of Northumbria Police, said that Mr Knights was shot as he walked up the path to the house.

Officers believe the gunman, who was wearing dark clothing, had been lying in wait for Mr Knights and had intended to kill him. The man ran away, perhaps to a waiting car.