POLICE were last night still trying to establish the circumstances behind a suspected double suicide at a North-East beauty spot.

Two men fell to their deaths from a clifftop near South Shields, South Tyneside, within minutes of each other.

Witnesses first called the emergency services at about 1.20pm on Friday after a man was seen to fall from the cliffs at Marsden Grotto.

Minutes later, a second man was seen sitting on the cliff edge a few metres from where the first man had fallen.

As witnesses looked on, the second man also fell to his death from the cliff.

South Tyneside Council had that day announced plans to place plaques, including the phone number of the Samaritans, near the site.

After the deaths, sections of the beach and clifftops were closed while arrangements were made to recover both bodies.

A rope rescue team from the local fire station was also deployed.

Meanwhile, police started questioning people who were in the area at the time both men fell, taking statements from those who may have witnessed the incidents.

A police spokesman later confirmed the first man was 57 and from South Shields.

The second was 55 and also believed to be from the South Tyneside area.

The families of both victims have been informed but the men have yet to be named by police.

A witnesses at the nearby Marsden Grotto pub said: "There were three fire engines and four police vehicles all in the Grotto car park.

"It looked like, from where I was standing, the area had been cordoned off to the south of the Grotto."

Inspector Keith Howson, of South Shields police, said: "This is a very unusual situation, so obviously we can't rule out links between both deaths.

"However, we are still keeping an open mind as to the circumstances and would ask that anyone who knows anything about it comes forward."

He added: "We don't at this stage think the men are related, so we are trying to establish what links, if any, they had."

The coroner has been informed and post-mortem examinations are due to be carried out.