Bridge stunt at Labour conference

Mr Fletcher got onto the bridge on Thursday night

A protester has evaded the tight security surrounding the Labour Party spring conference in Gateshead to climb up the Tyne Bridge.

Stephen Fletcher, 34, is from the pressure group Fathers 4 Justice.

Dressed as Superman, he climbed onto the roof of his car and began his ascent at about 2000 GMT on Thursday. As he did so police tried to grab him.

Officers said Mr Fletcher, thought to be a professional rigger used to heights, will not be forced down.

'Expected stunt'

Mr Fletcher, from Red House, Sunderland, has already protested at his home city's Wearmouth Bridge and the Transporter Bridge in Middlesbrough.

North East spokesman for Fathers 4 Justice Paul Watson told BBC News on Friday they had spent several weeks planning the protest.

It group originally planned to stage it at the opening of the Sage Gateshead in December, but decided to hold off until the conference.

Mr Fletcher plans to stay on the bridge until Monday, depending on the weather and food supplies.

A Northumbria police spokeswoman said: "This is the type of stunt we expected from pressure groups and, taking into account all factors, we are prepared to wait for him to come down."