NEWCASTLE UNITED'S home Premier League game against Leicester City was delayed owing to safety concerns regarding the club's new giant TV screen at St James' Park.

Heavy gusts in the North-East dislodged some plastic flashing around the new screen which was installed during the international break, and engineers had to be called to the ground in order to make the screen safe before fans were allowed into the stadium.

The game was delayed until 4pm, with fans only allowed in the stadium after 3.15pm.

A club statement read: "Newcastle United Football Club would like to offer sincere apologies to everyone affected by the delay to kick-off of today’s Barclays Premier League fixture with Leicester City at St. James’ Park.

"Turnstiles were closed until 3:15pm whilst loose dressing panels surrounding the newly-installed LED screen in the Leazes Stand were assessed and made secure by engineers.  Kick-off was subsequently rescheduled to 4:00pm.

"Before turnstiles were opened, an issue was identified with the dressing panels and in order to give the club the opportunity to rectify the situation, the decision was taken to keep the turnstiles closed.  Supporter safety was of paramount importance and the club felt that this action was necessary as a precaution.

"The club wishes to make very clear that the issues we experienced were not to do with the screen itself. Although the screen carries the ‘adi.tv’ branding the dressing panels were not installed by ADI nor a company sub-contracted by ADI.

"We wish to apologise once again to everyone who suffered inconvenience as a result of this issue today and wish to place on record our particular thanks to all supporters at St James’ Park for their patience."