Police are investigating the theft of 480 metres of copper cable stolen from Percy Main Metro station in the early hours of this morning.

Metro operator Nexus said a bus replacement service will operate throughout the suspension between North Shields and Byker stations.

This consists of eight buses, one of which is a low-floored vehicle.

Between 12.30am and 12.50am on Friday thieves removed cable from near the track side.

Police are appealing for witnesses or anyone who was in the area at the time and may have seen or heard anything suspicious.

They should contact Wallsend CID on 03456 043043.

Following initial investigations at the scene a large quantity of copper cable has been recovered and further inquiries are ongoing into the matter.

Train services are likely to remain suspended for the remainder of Friday.

Passengers travelling to stations on the North Tyneside coast are advised to travel via Four Lane Ends to avoid the disruption.

Trains on the Green line between Airport and South Hylton are not affected and are running normally.