A LEGEND of the North-East club scene has died, it has been reported.

Abdillahi Warsama who founded the Club Bongo International in Middlesbrough was 104 and has died after a short illness.

He is believed to have taken ill with an infection and died at of kidney failure on Saturday morning.

Mr Warsama whose family is originally from Somalia, bought the club in the early 1960s. He had been turned away from nightclubs in London, simply because he was black, and decided to open his own club for all people.

The news was announced on the club's Facebook site.

A message said: "With a heavy heart I have to inform you of Abdullah's passing away during the night. He went peacefully in his sleep at home. He lived a full and long life, reaching 104 years of age. He was a true legend and gentleman."