Fathers' rights protest on bridge

Simon Anderton climbed to the top arch of the Tyne Bridge

A fathers' rights campaigner is holding a protest on top of a Newcastle city centre bridge.

Simon Anderton, a local member of Real Fathers for Justice, climbed to the top arch of Tyne Bridge earlier.

The 44-year-old then unfurled a "Happy Father's Day" banner and dangled an effigy of a hanged father underneath.

A spokesman for the group said he had enough supplies for a number of days and did not intend to come down. Police are at the scene, a spokesman said.

The bridge is not closed to traffic, but the pedestrian footway is shut.

Similar demonstrations

A Northumbria Police spokesman said that officers were negotiating with the protester.

"He has indicated that he is a former scaffolder and used to working from heights," she said.

"The man has carried out similar demonstrations in the past without harming himself or anyone else, and there is no suggestion that he plans to harm himself, but an ambulance is on standby as a precaution.

"While Northumbria Police respects the rights of people to engage in peaceful protest, we are concerned when people potentially risk their own safety and the safety of the public.

"We would appeal to this man and the Real Fathers for Justice organisers to assist us in bringing this protest to a quick and safe resolution."

Real Fathers for Justice formed in 2005 and holds similar aims to Fathers 4 Justice.

Both groups campaign for improved rights for men denied access to their children.