A CLEAR up is underway after timber logs washed ashore onto a beach in the North East of England when they fell overboard from a ship. 

The wood was discovered on Wednesday evening in Whitley Bay having plunged into the sea earlier that day. The Coastguard was called to the scene, sending an aircraft to survey the area, while the vessel was moved to nearby Sunderland to secure the remaining cargo. 

Posting on X, the social media platform once known as Twitter, several residents shared pictures of the logs on Whitley Bay beach late last night and throughout Thursday morning.

Forestry Journal: Council officials have been clearing up the logs throughout Thursday Council officials have been clearing up the logs throughout Thursday (Image: NTC)

Council officials have been clearing the logs during the course of today and working alongside the cargo owner to arrange for their collection. 

A North Tyneside Council spokesperson said: "We've had a report that some logs (thinnings from Scotland, about 3m long and 30 to 40 cm in diameter) have been lost from a vessel, into the sea.

"Estimates say the logs could wash up at the coast around Seaton Sluice/Whitley Bay.

"The cargo company is aware of its obligations for the clean up and the Maritime and Coastguard Agency have requested a surveillance aircraft to attempt to track the logs in the water.

"Please stay alert if you're on or in the water along the coast."

A later statement from the council added: "We are busy clearing the logs that washed up after they fell from a cargo ship last night, we are working with the cargo owner to arrange for their collection or disposal." 

The final destination of the ship is unclear at this time. 

A spokesperson for the Coastguard said: "HM Coastguard was alerted at about 11.15 am on 13 December to part of a cargo of three-metre untreated logs lost overboard from a vessel off the coast of Blyth.

"An HM Coastguard fixed-wing aircraft was sent to survey the area. The vessel went into Sunderland to secure the remaining cargo.

"It is a lawful requirement to report any property recovered from the shore to the Receiver of Wreck. 

"Visit www.gov.uk/government/groups/receiver-of-wreck."