Live ammunition exploded in the boot of a police armed response car when it burst into flames after a crash, police today confirmed.

The intense heat of the fire ignited the bullets, which were stored in a secure safe in the vehicle.

Police are investigating the incident which happened on a country road between Hamsterley Mill and Rowlands Gill, near Gateshead, Tyneside.

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

Two officers were injured in the accident - but not as a result of the exploding ammunition.

The officers, who suffered whiplash and bruising, were taken to Newcastle General Hospital for treatment.

A Northumbria Police spokeswoman said: ''The ammunition was live, however it was contained in a safe within the vehicle.

''All ammunition exploded within the safe due to the heat. The safe was designed fully to contain any such explosion.

''There was absolutely no danger to any member of the public or any police officers.''

Updated: 16.00 Monday, July 23