'Large wildfire' in Prestwick tackled near Newcastle Airport

Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service is on the scene of the blaze in Prestwick

Fire crews are tackling what they say is a "large wildfire" in an area of woodland in Newcastle.

Seven appliances and 50 firefighters are on the scene in Prestwick, near Newcastle International Airport.

Residents nearby have been advised to keep windows and doors closed due to "significant smoke".

Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service advised people to avoid the area but said no properties were in the "immediate vicinity of the fire".

The airport confirmed flights had not been affected by the fire.

The fire service said it had been difficult to get appliances to the area and getting sufficient water to the site, which officers said was "well over the size of a football field".

Conditions have been described as "extremely difficult"

Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service area manager Paul Russell said the cause of the fire was so far not known.

"We have 56 firefighters working in extremely difficult conditioned because of the weather and the heat," he said.

Fire crews will be in attendance overnight, the area manager Paul Russell said

"What we're trying to do is contain it and not let it get totally out of control.

"We're going to be in attendance through the night and we'll begin an investigation to determine the cause of the fire which is unknown."