Power for thousands restored in the North East

A clean-up operation is continuing after the region was hit by a damaging storm and record-breaking tidal surge.

Thousands of people lost power as the rivers Tyne and Wear broke their banks on Thursday.

Newcastle's quayside is now clear after buildings, including the city's law courts, were evacuated as a precaution.

Gateshead Council ‏said staff were working throughout the weekend to pump out water and assess damage at the Gateshead Millennium Bridge.

No serious injuries were reported during the storm, despite dozens of trees being uprooted and vehicles overturned, including a lorry which fell on to a car on the Redheugh Bridge across the Tyne.

Several buildings also suffered structural damage as a result of high winds, which topped 100mph in parts of County Durham.

A spokesman for Northern Powergrid said "all available staff" had been trying to restore power and a helicopter had been helping search for further damage.

All main transport routes are open.