A freelance photographer cleared of obstructing an officer says he is to sue his local police force for false arrest.

Marc McMahon claims he lost £10,000 worth of camera equipment when police tried to stop him taking pictures of a man threatening to jump from Newcastle's Tyne Bridge.

Marc, who was working with his daughter Carly, was arrested and charged following the incident in October last year.

But this week Newcastle magistrates found the photographer not guilty of obstructing a police officer, saying he had acted "professionally".

Marc said: "I'm feeling very relieved about the verdict. The last year has been immensely stressful for my family and we're glad the magistrates came to the right decision.

"My daughter and I were carrying out our jobs within the law and the last thing you expect is to be arrested and put in a police cell.

"And the loss of the equipment on top of that was devastating as it's our livelihood."

Marc says he is now set to launch a civil case against the Northumbria force to reclaim the cost of his equipment and related loss of earnings.

He said that despite showing his press card, police told him he could not take photographs and when he was arrested he was forced to leave behind his equipment which was later stolen from the scene.

He was arrested for breaching the peace but the charge was later changed to obstruction.

Northumbria Police deputy chief constable David Warcup said: "We note the decision of the court and an investigation into Mr McMahon's complaint is under way."

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