Birdwatchers flocked to the South Tyneside village in response to the rare sighting.

Bird lovers flocked to a residential street in the hope of spotting an indigo bunting as it made a rare UK appearance.

A sighting of the vibrantly blue bird inspired scores of people to descend upon a South Tyneside village over the weekend.

People reportedly slept in cars to catch a glimpse of the brightly coloured male, with some reports suggesting it could be the first time the bird had been seen on UK mainland.

Enterprising Scouts raised more than £100 by selling refreshments to the visitors to Whitburn, near Sunderland.