SPORTING hero Dame Tanni Grey-Thompson who usually receives gold medals, found herself in the role of presenting gold.

The paralympic champion, who has won a total of 11 gold medals, marked the start of a new era for a Redcar-based housing association by opening its £2.5m offices.

Dame Tanni, who has won international acclaim for her sporting achievements, declared the office open and congratulated Coast and Country for its excellent provision of social housing and work in the community.

Dame Tanni, who has lived and trained in Redcar for more than ten years, presented Coast and Country's chief executive, Iain Sim, with a gold medallion to symbolise the start of a golden era for the company.

She said: "I know from previous experience that community spirit has always been important to the people of Redcar and Cleveland, and Coast and Country is obviously working very hard to retain this.

"Coast and Country and its partners have worked hard to try to make the area a safer, more attractive place to live."

The two-storey office block, which covers 25,000sq ft, can accommodate 209 staff.