HUNDREDS of seagulls were found dead and covered in oil off the North-East coast yesterday.

The Environment Agency, the RSPCA and the Coastguard have been swamped with calls about dead birds along the shore.

And fishermen have reported seeing hundreds of dead seagulls floating out at sea.

The oil is believed to be coming from an unconfirmed spillage in a dock, but an RSPCA spokeswoman said last night that the oil was not believed to be the cause of the deaths.

A scientist is testing seawater samples today.

During the weekend, about 25 gulls were found in Hartlepool, and last night the RSPCA reported that hundreds more were lining the coast.

Inspectors from the animal charity were collecting the birds and will carry out examinations today.

On Saturday, a man walking his dog reported seeing live gulls in a "distressed state" to the Environment Agency.

Officials are checking records from the past week to see if any spills or leaks have been reported along the coast.

A dead seagull, covered in oil, was also found at Seahouses in Northumberland, and it is believed it could be connected.

An RSPCA spokeswoman said: "The birds were covered in oil, but we don't think this is what killed them.

"It is unlikely to be food poisoning, because that is very unusual at this time of year. Gulls usually get that in the summer, probably from scavenging rotten food.

"We should be able to find out from the post-mortem examination."

The Environment Agency appealed for anyone with information about injured or dead gulls to contact the RSPCA on 0870-5-555999