A FAMILY of four returned from a holiday in the sun to find their home destroyed by a gas explosion.

The explosion took place at a house on Rednor Gardens, Howdon, North Tyneside, and severely damaged the house, just before 3pm yesterday.

Neighbours alerted the emergency services before evacuating their homes. The blast was felt throughout the area.

The householders, and their two young daughters, had been away on holiday and returned to find firefighters blasting water at their ruined home.

A spokesman for the fire brigade said: "As far as we know, no one was injured. People have been shocked because it was such a big explosion."

The road was closed for much of last night as the gas supply was cut off. An investigation has been launched into the cause