FORMER Newcastle United chairman Sir John Hall joined footballers, supporters and dignitaries to officially open the region's newest football stadium today.

Bishop Auckland FC hosted an afternoon of celebrations to mark the opening of its new home ground, Heritage Park, in St Helen Auckland, County Durham, and offered guests the opportunity to look around the facility, which took more than eight years to come into fruition.

The 2,000 capacity stadium, which includes a 250-seater main stand, is part of a multi-million pound leisure complex being built on the former Warner Electric site, that includes a Sainsburys supermarket which opens later this week.

Sir John Hall described Heritage Park as an excellent example of a public partnership.

He said: "The facilities are magnificent, it is an awe-inspiring place. This is great for the club and the town because it will bring in extra income, which is wonderful. It will be a great asset for Bishop Auckland."

Full story in tomorrow's Northern Echo