Shields Ferry: Service up and running again after suspension

A swollen river contains more water than normal

Shields Ferry service has resumed after a river swell generated by Storm Ciarán damaged the ferry and North Shields landing access ramp earlier.

Regular services were suspended on Wednesday morning, with no replacement bus service available because of the continuing Go North East bus strike.

Ferry services resumed at 15:15 GMT, after repairs were completed.

The storm has prompted a yellow weather warning for rain in the North East for 24 hours, from 06:00 GMT on Thursday.

A tidal river swell, caused by the impending storm, damaged the ramp on the Pride of the Tyne ferry at about 08:45 GMT on Wednesday.

The same swell also damaged the metal plate of the access ramp on the North Shields landing.

A spokesperson for Nexus, who run the ferry service, said: "Repairs were completed this afternoon, and we now have the green light to resume Tyne crossings."

• Storm Ciarán: What do you need to know?

• Storm damaged piers shut for 'foreseeable future'

The Met Office has issued yellow and amber warnings - indicating potential risks to life and property - for wind and rain in southern and eastern England.

The North East is under a yellow weather warning for rain from Thursday morning until 06:00 GMT on Friday.

Twenty four flood warnings are also in place across England.

There are concerns the impact of the rain could be made worse by the recent bad weather.

The storm arrives hot on the heels of localised weather-related incidents last weekend, when large waves brought down coastal barriers in North Tyneside, and homes were evacuated and shops were damaged when a village in County Durham was deluged by "several feet of water".

Nexus is warning there is further risk of disruption to services on Thursday, as the ferry may not be able to run because of the weather conditions.