The North Tyneside Council Ford Transit refuse van slipped off the causeway at St Mary's Island, and before rescuers could pull it to safety, it was submerged by the sea.

Onlookers, police and the Tynemouth Volunteer Life Brigade (TVLB) all tried in vain to pull the vehicle to safety but it remained stranded for several hours.

A Sea King helicopter from RAF Boulmer was initially deployed after reports of people still in the vehicle but was quickly stood down when TVLB staff arrived on the scene.

The driver and his passenger had clambered free just after the incident happened at 1.40pm on Saturday and it was not until the sea receded at 7pm that the van was eventually recovered.

Three lifeguards and a brigadesman had attached a rope to the Transit with a second rope later being tied on.

But despite numerous onlookers and the TVLB Land Rover pulling, the van remained stuck.

Will Hogg, TLVB captain, said: "By this time the vehicle was partially floating and it was deemed too dangerous to continue to have people in the water alongside a large moving object."

Some visitors found themselves spending longer on the island than anticipated with the van blocking the causeway and no way back to the mainland.

Concerns are now being raised at what damage has been done to marine wildlife in the area from fuel and rubbish washed out the vehicle.

St Mary's ward councillor Judith Wallace said: "I'm glad that no members of staff were injured and would like to thank the members of the public who came to assist in the rescue operation – that was commendable.

"But I am concerned about any damage to the marine wildlife in that area.

"Obviously the lighthouse is an important location, it provides an important habitat with all the rock pools for marine life and I do hope there has been no damage from a leak of fuel, oil or chemicals which might damage the wildlife."

Coun Wallace added she was now waiting for a report as to why the incident happened.