The body of a woman has been found on a popular beach near a UK seaside town. Northumbria Police was called to Seaburn Beach, Whitburn, Tyne and Wear, in the early hours of Friday (May 1).

Officers and the emergency services attended the scene where they have been trying to piece together what happened and the identity of the woman to inform her next of kin.

A spokesperson from Northumbria Police said in a statement: "Just after 5am today we received a report that the body had been found on Seaburn Beach in Whitburn.

"Emergency services attended the scene where the body of a woman was sadly located."

They added that police remained in the area and enquiries were being made to formally identify the woman and notify family.

The woman's death is being treated by the police as unexplained, according to the spokesperson.

Anyone who can help police with their enquiries should call 101.