Flood warnings in place across the North East

Flood barriers were erected along Newcastle's Quayside on Monday afternoon

Parts of north-east England are underwater after higher-than-normal tides contributed to flooding across the region.

The Environment Agency (EA) issued red and amber alerts for parts of Teesside, Tyneside and Northumberland on Monday afternoon.

Those in areas including Newcastle's Quayside and Billingham, County Durham, were urged to "act now" in response to severe threats along the coast and around the Tyne and Tees estuaries.

The flood warnings urged people to stay away from beaches, promenades and coastal footpaths, due to danger from waves and sea spray.

The EA said high tides were expected for the next three days and could result in more warnings being issued.

The rising waters are already threatening to burst the banks of the River Tyne, where the EA has erected barriers stretching more than 180m (623ft) along Newcastle's Quayside.

People living or working in areas covered by the most severe red alerts have been told to start acting on their flood plans.

As of Monday afternoon, those areas included:

• Almouth: Riverside Road, Garden Terrace and Sawmill Cottage

• Seahouses: Harbour Road, Chapel Row, North Street and Monks House

• Whitley Bay, Cullercoats and Tynemouth: businesses close to the coast and the area around Cullercoats Lifeboat Station and Dove Marine Laboratory

• Byker: Foundry Lane, Lime Street, Ouse Street

• Billingham: Tees Estuary, Billingham Reach Industrial Estate

• Tyneside: Newcastle Quayside, Low Walker, Lower Derwenthaugh Industrial Estate, Willington Boat Club, Brama Teams Industrial Estate

Waters are rising in parts of Teesside

Several amber warnings have also been issued across the region, including in parts of Middlesbrough, and Sunderland's north estuary, East Nobles Quay and Port Clarence.

The EA has urged people to avoid riverside footpaths, low-lying lands and roads.

On Monday afternoon, Middlesbrough College closed a substantial part of its riverside campus in response to the warnings.

Most staff and students had to leave the campus and remove their cars.

A spokesman for the EA said water levels in the region and across other parts of the country were being monitored closely, with incident rooms open.

Flood forecasts for Monday and Tuesday suggest it is likely that high tides and large waves will flood low-lying land and roads.