POLICE have seized an exhibit from Gateshead's prestigious Baltic art gallery because it may breach child pornography laws.

Officers from the Northumbria force are understood to have taken the image of a child away on Thursday last week after being alerted by the gallerys management team.

The image was not on public display, but formed part of an exhibition that was being prepared to go on public display.

The galley was not commenting tonight and was not naming the artist involved.

The image was being examined by lawyers from the Crown Prosecution Service to see if it breached the 1978 Protection of Children Act.