Newcastle United stars past and present descended on St James' Park last night to celebrate the opening of a bar named after Alan Shearer.

Shearer's Bar, which is under the Gallowgate End, is the latest development at the stadium.

The bar was opened by Newcastle chairman, Freddy Shepherd, who said: "Alan Shearer is a Newcastle United legend and this is the perfect way to celebrate everything he has done for the club."

Shearer, the leading Premiership goalscorer of all time, was equally enthusiastic about the bar.

"Sir John Hall and Jackie Milburn had stands named after them, I get a bar," said Shearer, who is due to retire at the end of the season.

"Perhaps that's a sign of the times or maybe they are trying to tell me something.

"It's a massive honour and I was absolutely delighted when the chairman told me of his plans.

The highlight of the ceremony was a rendition of Local Hero - the tune Newcastle players run out to before home matches - by Dire Straits frontman Mark Knopfler.