THE stars of Auf Wiedersehen Pet have teamed up again to make a charity record in aid of the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation.

Actors Jimmy Nail, Kevin Whately and Tim Healy got in the recording studio to perform a new version of Geordie anthem The Blaydon Races.

The version has a new verse, written in honour of Sir Bobby, whose brave battle against cancer inspired thousands.

Tim Healy, who was born in Newcastle, said: “It was lovely to see Kevin and Jimmy again, as always, and we had a great time recording the song for a brilliant man.

“We all loved Sir Bobby and it was really lovely to have the chance to do something in tribute to him.”

The folk song dates back to the Victorian music hall era and describes in its many verses a walk from Newcastle to Blaydon’s racecourse.

The Auf Wiedersehen version has an added verse, written by singer-songwriter Billy Mitchell.

It goes: “And now a word for Bobby Robson, Hero of the Toon; A football man, a gentleman, who never let wor doon; A friendly word, a cheery smile, and brave right to the end; We’re proud to say, you’re one of wors, Sir Bob...

Auf Wiedersehen.”

The writer said: “When I learned Jimmy, Tim and Kevin were to sing The Blaydon Races, I knew the way to do it would be to write a new verse to finish the song. Hopefully it says what we all feel about Bobby Robson.”

The former England and Newcastle United manager died in July aged 76, but not before he saw a cancer trials centre opened in Newcastle in his name, after his foundation quickly raised the £500,000 necessary.

The total raised by the foundation now stands at more than £2m, and has Alan Shearer as its patron.

The song will appear on a fundraising DVD called A Knight to Remember, which will be launched next week.

The DVD will also feature tributes from people who knew him, as well as footage from Sir Bobby’s final interviews.

To see a video of the trio recording the song, visit The Northern Echo website at northernecho.co.uk

■ To make a donation or for more information, visit sir bobbyrobsonfoundation.org.

uk or donate by sending a cheque to Sir Bobby Robson Foundation, PO Box 307, Heaton NE7 7QG.