Harbour closed over safety fears

Police stressed there was no threat to local people

A harbour and a fun fair have been evacuated after concerns were raised about the condition of a sea wall.

Police said cracks had opened in the harbour wall at Amble, Northumberland, and had appeared to worsen, threatening a large diesel tank.

After consultation involving the fire service and the Environment Agency, police shut the harbour.

An operation has begun to drain the tank containing thousands of litres of oil used by fishing boats.

A nearby funfair was evacuated but police stressed there was no threat to local people.

Supt Gordon Milward said: "The harbour master contacted us reporting concerns about the harbour wall.

"We closed off the area as a precaution and assisted other agencies in their efforts to contain the situation with the minimum of disruption to local people.

"There is no risk to any residents of Amble."

According to local guides, the harbour lies at the mouth of the River Coquet and was built between 1838 and 1839.