OLYMPIC rowing legend Sir Steve Redgrave has given his seal of approval to the latest training equipment at a County Durham hotel.

The five-times Olympic gold medal winner was staying at the Durham Marriott, while he attended the Durham Supersprints rowing competition.

He took time out from his busy schedule to test out the new rowing machines in the gym.

Hotel manager Derek Harvey said: "Having one of the greatest sportsmen of all time christen the rowing machines is tremendous - there's no sterner test."