GATESHEAD'S mayor has said renaming the town 'Gareth SouthGateshead' for a day following the final of Euro 2020 will be a 'fantastic idea'.

Councillor Dot Burnett was responding to Heart North East presenter Emil Franchi, who asked if the town could be renamed in honour of England’s manager for one day only on Monday following the final of the football tournament.

The mayor admitted that while it is not her remit, she thinks it’s a fantastic idea.

Speaking on his drivetime show on Friday, Emil told the mayor: "Madam Mayor, we would like to mark the occasion.

"We’ve got a few North East lads in the [England] team but it wouldn’t be right just to erect a statue of those guys.

"No, I think we need to pay tribute to the man that got us here, the man that is leading England into Wembley on that final on Sunday.

"The first one we’ve been in for 55 years. I’m talking, of course, about our manager. So Madam Mayor, I have a question for you, if that’s possible?

"Is it possible for one day and one day only, could we pay tribute to the man who has done this, and can we rename your playground of Gateshead to Gareth SouthGateshead?

Cllr Burnett responded: "I think that’s an amazing idea. I don’t know whether or not the rest of the council would agree with it."

Emil replied: "So Madam Mayor, just to get your absolute confirmation, we are allowed to refer to Gateshead as Gareth SouthGateshead on Monday?"

"You can if you want but that’s not in my remit. But it’s a fantastic idea.".

Keep up to date with all the latest news on our website, or follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

You can also follow our dedicated County Durham Facebook page for all the latest in the area by clicking here.

For all the top news updates from right across the region straight to your inbox, sign up to our newsletter here.

Have you got a story for us? Contact our newsdesk on newsdesk@nne.co.uk or contact 01325 505054