Crews tackle wildfires across the North East as temperatures soar

Firefighters have been tackling several wildfires across the North East amid soaring temperatures.

Large wildfires broke out in both Walbottle and Greenside in Gateshead and on Thursday 11 August, where flames scorched fences and decking of nearby homes.

Meanwhile in Northumberland, an Amber Wildfire Alert was issued for the whole county, following a wildfire in Redesdale Forest.

Blazes also spread on grasslands on Tyneside, Wearside, in County Durham and Northumberland on Wednesday (10 August).

Crews say hot and dry conditions likely contributed to their severity and frequency.

One fire in Ryton Willows covered an area of 3,500 square metres and took more than 20 hours to put out, using five engines and a boat.

Another in the village of Pelton, County Durham, spread across approximately 5,000 square metres of land.

It required four crews from Durham, Consett, Wheatley Hill and Bishop Auckland to extinguish.

Fire services in the region have urged people to refrain from starting fires and using disposable barbecues.