FORMER England rugby star Dean Richards has officially opened a dementia-friendly café.

The back row forward, now director of rugby at Newcastle Falcons, was at Sweethart Café, in Blackhill, Consett, on Monday afternoon.

Owner Mark Hart has introduced changes that will make his premises more welcoming to those living with the condition and staff have been trained to be 'dementia friends’.

Richards, who also played number eight with the British Lions, said: “Projects such as this can help people with the condition and let them enjoy life a bit more.

“It is bit of an unknown, people accept people have dementia but they don’t know how to react when they do.

“This helps people react better and look after them in every way they can.”

Richards’ own mother-in-law, Audrey Stephenson, died aged 87 this time last year after suffering from Alzheimer’s Disease.

He said: “It is horrendous and until you have come across it first hand you do not know what to expect or what to do.

“It is disappointing for close relatives when they do not recognise them.

“There are all sorts of effects and the more serious it gets, the harder it is to deal with.

“The more aware people are the easier it will be for people who are affected.

“The cafe is not here to remedy the situation, but it will help."