FORMER Newcastle United and England manager Sir Bobby Robson will have a park named after him in his home village.

The play area, for all ages, will be in the former pit village of Langley Park, where the Robson family lived.

Sir Bobby, who still lives in the county, was delighted when asked by EQUaL, the organisation behind the scheme, if he would agree to the new park bearing his name. The park, next to Langley Park Sports and Social Club, where Sir Bobby played football and cricket, will have a playground, skate park and games area.

He said: "The football pitch and cricket pitch were adjacent to each other, and I spent a great deal of my youth playing both sports.

"It was through practice, preparation and playing that I was able to perform both reasonably well.

"Through those formative years, especially where football is concerned, this set me on the road to a highly professional sports life. Langley Park Sports and Social Club will always remain dear to my heart."