TWO policemen were injured when their armed response car crashed, burst into flames and ignited bullets in the boot.

The officers had been driving along a country road between Hamsterley Mill and Rowlands Gill, near Gateshead, Tyneside, when the crash happened.

It is not known if any other vehicles were involved in the accident on the A694, in the early hours of Sunday.

The two officers were able to walk away from the wrecked car, but they were unable to stop rounds of ammunition in the boot catching light and igniting.

Fire crews doused the flames and the road was sealed off as a crash investigation was launched.

The two officers were last night being treated at Newcastle General Hospital for minor injuries.

A Northumbria Police spokeswoman said there had been a collision which set the car alight and activated the ammunition.

She said: "All the ammunition was made safe and there was no danger to any members of the public."