POLICE attended a 'car rally' in Prudhoe over the bank holiday weekend.

A car rally took place at Tyneview Retail Park in the town on Sunday evening (May 1).

A police helicopter was deployed after hundreds of drivers turned up.

Northumbria Police has confirmed that no arrests were made and the event passed “without incident”.

A Northumbria Police spokesman said: "On Sunday night (May 1) we were made aware of a car rally at Tyneview Retail Park in Prudhoe.

“Officers went to the scene to ensure the safety of the public including those in attendance. The group later dispersed and the event passed without incident.”

Prudhoe residents took to social media to question why a light aircraft appeared to be performing circuits in the area while the event took place.

The National Police Air Service, which operates a fleet from a base in Doncaster, has since confirmed the plane was one of just four operated by the force.

A spokeswoman for NPAS confirmed that a police aeroplane was in flight in the North-East at around 8.10pm on Sunday, when it was deployed to assist Northumbria Police in its response to the car rally by providing an aerial view of the event.

On completion of the task, the crew was then deployed to attend a search in the Cleveland area.

The organisers of the event are currently unknown.

Coun Stewart, for Prudhoe South, said: “Residents raised concerns with me about cars being driven at what were thought to be excessive speed around various streets in the town. Police officers were quickly on the scene.

“Public safety has to be of utmost importance, and I have discussed this with a senior police officer over the weekend, and today with the landowner."

The organisers are not known.