Coastguard help rescue man from Sunderland's Wearmouth Bridge

Sunderland Coastguard Rescue Team came across a man in distress on the bridge at about 4.35am.

It came after they had earlier dealt with an incident in Marsden, where a man had been on the wrong side of railings at the cliff top.

A post on the rescue team's Facebook page said: "On our return to the station a member of the team spotted a person in distress on the Wearmouth Bridge.

"As we pulled up the person was attempting to climb over the railings.

"Team members managed to stop the person doing this.

"Assistance from the police was requested while team members formed a barrier between the railings and the person.

"The person was then handed into the care of the police on their arrival."

The rescue team had earlier talked a person to safety from the cliffs at Marsden at about 2.45am.

The post on Facebook added: "We were paged this morning to assist the police with a person on the wrong side of the railings in the vicinity of Marsden.

"With the police negotiators already on scene, the person was eventually talked to the right side of the railings and handed into the care of the police.

"South Shields Volunteer Life Brigade (SSVLB) were also in attendance.

"Remember, dial 999 in all coastal emergencies and ask for the Coastguard."

Anyone thinking of self-harming can call Sunderland Samaritans for support and advice on 0191 567 7177 or the Samaritans of Tyneside on 0191 232 7272.