Watch the 'Fatherless Day' bridge protest from Fathers For Justice in Sunderland

The pair, who are members of the Real Fathers for Justice (RFFJ) group, have been waving at traffic since scaling the bridge this morning.

They have a 25ft banner attached to the railing on the north side of the bridge, with RFFJ saying the action was to highlight failings in the family courts.

The men were identified as Danny, 42, from Wearside, and John, 34, from Gateshead.

RFFJ spokesman and co-founder Leigh Davison added: "The pair have supplies for a long stay up there, they are safe and secure above the road.

"They have no intention to disrupt the public in their daily business in any way.

"Danny and John joined us a year ago when Simon Anderton spent 11 days on the Tyne Bridge in a similar Father's Day protest, this is the first time either has been involved in a peaceful demonstration.

"Their cases are fairly typical of the hundreds we hear about every week, nothing has changed in family law despite many promises by politicians to reform the system over successive parliaments.

"These types of protest will continue and could well intensify, there are a new generation of younger fathers who are becoming aware of the kind of problems in family law we have been highlighting for over a decade.

"Although it's often fathers coming to us for support, but mothers are not immune to injustice and contact denial, nor are grandparents

"Hence this protest is definitely not for father's rights, nor for mother's rights - we support children's rights. The right to a loving and meaningful relationship with both parents following separation or divorce.

"If you are affected by contact denial or considering family court action, we offer free initial professional advice via email only. See our website realfathersforjustice.org for more details."