Schoolboy charged after explosive substance found

Police were called to Meadow Road following reports of suspicious activity

A boy has been charged with possession of an explosive substance after a number of suspicious items were found at a house.

Northumbria Police said it found the items at an address on Meadow Road in the Monkseaton area of Whitley Bay on Friday afternoon.

The explosive ordnance disposal team attended and police said there was no risk to the wider public.

The boy, who police say is secondary-school aged and from Whitley Bay, will appear before Bedlington Magistrates' Court on Monday.

A Northumbria Police spokesperson said: "With proceedings now active, we would ask people to refrain from speculating about the incident both online and in the community."

The force urged anyone with any information or concerns to get in touch.