DESCENDANTS of a 19th century sporting hero will come together at the opening of a play celebrating his achievements.

Harry Clasper was a rowing world champion nine times over in the mid-19th century, making him one of the world’s most famous sportsmen.

The Dunston-born athlete and miner inspired the song Blaydon Races and when he died in 1870, aged 58, 130,000 people filled the streets of Newcastle to pay their respects.

Hadaway Harry, as he was known, is the subject of a new play by Maggie’s End writer Ed Waugh which tours the region from June 29 to July 11.

A Clasper family reunion will be held at South Shields Library, South Tyneside, on Saturday, May 30, at 2pm.

The event is also open to people with Harry Clasper memorabilia and Mr Waugh will give a talk about his play.

The playwright said: “This is an amazing story. As well as being a champion himself, Harry trained North-East world champions and designed the boats still used in the Olympics and boat races today.

“I keep getting approached by people who are either related to Harry or who know people related to Harry and we thought getting members of the family together would be a fantastic way of officially launching the play.”

For more information, visit edwaughandtrevorwood.co.uk