A teenager has been charged with making hoax calls to the emergency services during the firefighters' strike.

The 16-year-old boy was arrested on Tuesday by officers in Gateshead, Tyne and Wear.

A spokesman for Northumbria Police said the youth had been charged with causing a public nuisance.

The boy has been bailed to appear at Gateshead youth court on 3 December.

Police on Tyneside promised tough action after receiving a spate of hoax calls at the beginning of the first firefighters' strike.

In the first three hours of the strike emergency services in Tyne and Wear reported more than 50 hoax calls.

Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott has also said those found guilty of making malicious calls during the industrial action will be dealt with harshly.