Police have closed a busy road after a lorry overturned - and officers are urging drivers to avoid the area.
The incident happened on the A690 eastbound near Rainton Bridge, Houghton-le-Spring, at around 11am on Thursday.
Both Northumbria Police and Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service attended the scene and closed off the road.
Officers closed the road at around 11.40am to allow recovery work to be carried out and warned it may remain closed for several hours.
A diversion has been put in place with drivers told they should head towards Chilton Moor via the B1284, then head east on the A1052 Dairy Lane to rejoin the A690.
A Northumbria Police spokesperson said: "At 10.45am today (Thursday) we received a report that a heavy goods vehicle had overturned on the A690 Durham Road at Rainton Bridge, Houghton-le-Spring.
"Emergency services are at the scene. The road is currently closed eastbound as a clear-up operation takes place, with a diversion in place."
A spokesperson for Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service said: "We can confirm attendance this morning of a road traffic collision (RTC) on the A690 Eastbound at Rainton Bridge, Houghton Le Spring - to assist with the recovery of an overturned HGV that had spilt rubble and fuel on to the road.
"We dispatched three appliances with crews from Rainton Bridge Community Fire Station, Sunderland Central Fire Station and Faringdon Community Fire Station with the first crew on the scene at 10.51am.
"An Enviro Pack was administered at the scene to help soak up the spillage of fuel.
"Crews left the scene at 11.55am and a recovery vehicle is currently on site."
Photos from the scene show debris scattered across the road.
The road remains closed for recovery work.
