Emergency services have launched a huge rescue operation following reports of two boys getting into difficulty in the River Tyne.

Police were told two teenagers entered the water near Ovingham Bridge, Ovingham, on Saturday afternoon.

Crews from the police, ambulance, fire and mountain rescue services have all been taking part in the search.

Northumberland Fire and Rescue Service said two Swift Water Rescue units and “a number of senior officers” were involved.

The village of Ovingham is 13 miles (20km) west of Newcastle.

A North East Ambulance Service spokesperson said: “We were called to reports of concerns of two people in the water in Ovingham at 3.30pm on Saturday 18 May.

“We dispatched our full Hazardous Area Response Team as well as two ambulance crews, a specialist paramedic, a clinical team leader and an officer. We also requested support from Great North Air Ambulance Service.”

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Northumbria Police told the Northern Echo: “Shortly after 3.30pm [on Saturday]… police received a report of concern for the welfare of two teenage boys who had come into difficulty in the water near to Ovingham bridge in Northumberland.”

The force asked the public “not to gather where possible to allow for those at [the] scene to carry out their duties”.

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