A TEESSIDE football legend opened a gym yesterday.

Former Middlesbrough and England defender Gary Pallister formally opened Oxygym Health and Fitness Club, in Billingham.

The gym is owned by Glyn Amos and Dave Robinson, who were both made redundant from health and fitness providers Tees Valley Leisure last year.

Mr Robinson said: "Gary Pallister is one of my footballing heroes and we could not have wished for anyone better. He is immensely respected in this area for his 100 per cent contribution to Middlesbrough FC and football.

"We saw the redundancy as an opportunity to go into the health and fitness business."

Oxygym, in Cowpen Lane, which also has an aerobic studio, opened to the public in December and has more than 300 members.

Gary Pallister won 22 England caps. At Manchester United he won four league championships, three FA Cup winners' medals, and a European Cup winners medal.