SEVERAL wagons were damaged or destroyed by fire at a North-East railway museum today.

Fire was reported among exhibits at the Bowes Railway Company, at Springwell Village, between Washington and Gateshead, shortly after 7.15am.

Three fire crews, from Birtley and Washington stations, attended the preserved railway heritage site, dating from the pre-Victorian era, to tackle the blaze.

Four of the scores of early rail wagons stored on site were gutted and at least two other others were damaged.

The fire is believed to have begun in nearby grassland and spread onto the site.

Speaking shortly after the blaze was brought under control, site property manager Alan Milburn said: "We're now sifting through the remains with the fire people to work out the exact damage.

"We've got our volunteers in early trying to pick up the pieces and preserve as much of the damaged metal as possible.

"Some of the damaged wagons date from the late 1800s to the early 1900s.

"It looks like the grass fire has spread under the fence onto the site and to the railway itself at some point early today.

"The wagons are tinder dry and so would have caught light easily."

Mr Milburn said despite the clear-up in the wake of the blaze, the site remained open to the public, during usual daily opening hours, between 9.30am and 4pm today.

The first line opened on the Bowes site by railway pioneer George Stephenson in January 1826 to haul coal from the Durham coalfield to the Tyne.

Sunderland City Council and Gateshead Council are now considering the findings of a major feasibility study into its future, carried out by a consultancy firm and Tourism UK.

The Bowes Railway, a registered museum and charity, is rated among the most important industrial heritage sites in the UK.

It is considered significant in terms of the development of the railways and coal production in the North-East as well as the wider Industrial Revolution.

Bowes Railway is also a Scheduled Ancient Monument and parts of the site are considered 'at risk' by English Heritage.

In an effort to develop a future plan for the site consultants PLB were commissioned to draw up recommendations to ensure the railway museum remains "a relevant, appropriate and sustainable visitor attraction".

PLB's recently-completed report details the major work needed to be undertaken to make the site sustainable, as well as recommendations for future development.

The railway, which opens daily with occasional special steaming days, is operated and maintained through the commitment of its staff and volunteers, supported by Gateshead Council, Sunderland City Council, plus other partners and advisors.