A rapid-response breakdown service has been launched on a stretch of the A1.

The service, offered by the Highways Agency, is intended to reduce the impact of broken-down vehicles on the A1 Gateshead western bypass.

It is regarded as the busiest section of non-motorway dual carriageway in the country.

John Sheerin, project manager for the agency, said: "Any obstruction on the road can lead to severe disruption along its length and break-downs are a major cause of these problems."

Colas, a contractor working for the agency, will patrol the road and, if they find a broken-down vehicle, they can offer to contact a recovery company to have it removed, free of charge