The River Tyne is one of North East England's three major rivers along with the Wear and the Tees. It rises in both the Cheviot Hills to form the North Tyne and the Pennines to form the South Tyne which form a confluence near Hexham called locally as The Meeting of the Waters or Watersmeet.

It eventually flows between Newcastle and Gateshead where it is crossed by seven bridges - three road, three rail and one pedestrian - before making its way to Tynemouth and out into the North Sea.

At 73 miles (118K) long it may not be the longest of the three - this distinction goes to the River Tees further south - but perhaps it is the best known as the thousands of Geordies who live along its banks will readily attest!