Alan Shearer, Jill Halfpenny and Dan Burn were among the celebs at a star-studded event to mark the opening of a new restaurant and bar in the North East.

Gaucho, which is in Newcastle, is due to welcome the public on Saturday, March 11 but threw a party on Thursday (March 9) to celebrate the occasion.

The bash was held in honour of the Sir Graham Wylie Foundation and NUFC Foundation Community Hub NUCASTLE.

Read more: Darlington's Savoury Café on business in the market vs the Cornmill

Alan Shearer and Lee Westwood hosted the party in a bid to raise funds for the charities.

Current first-team players of Newcastle United were in attendance, joined by local celebrities Faye Tozer, Jill Halfpenny, Charlie Hardwick, and legends of sport Patrick Roberts, Dan Burn, Mateo Carreras, Steve Watson, Darius Defoe and Steve Harmison at an event which saw polo ponies and tango dancing.

Here are the best photos of the night:

The Northern Echo:

The Northern Echo:

The Northern Echo:

The Northern Echo:

The Northern Echo:

The Northern Echo:

The Northern Echo:

The restaurant launch saw queues forming down the street, with guests being greeted by two Gaucho Argentine polo ponies.

Entertainment was provided by local resident DJ Suzee Wood as well as an exclusive performance from DJ The Shapeshifters.

Gaucho also surprised their guests with a sensational performance from World Champion Tango dancers Emma Lucia Reyes and Carlos Cisneros.