A woman and two young children have been rescued by firefighters from a burning house in Gateshead.

The Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service were called to Milton Square, Mount Pleasant at 7am on Sunday the first of January to discover the house on fire.

A 32-year-old man managed to escape but crews rescued the 33-year-old woman and two children who were taken to hospital suffering from smoke inhalation.

A spokesman said the fire spread from a wheelie bin containing barbeque ashes.

A dog was also rescued from the fire.