FOOTBALL legend Jack Charlton opened the £700,000 Saltburn Cricket, Bowls and Tennis Club last week.

The facilities at Saltburn are now thought to rival similar clubs at Headingley and Lords.

A new sports hall for community and club use sits alongside tennis and bowls pavilions and an extended clubhouse with new changing rooms.

The 1966 England World Cup winner used the event as an opportunity to deliver a rallying cry to young people, urging them to be inspired by sport.

Jack, who tried his hand at tennis and bowling while he was there, said he hoped the club would persuade youngsters to dust off their sports gear.

He said: "It's brilliant that East Cleveland has now got this world-class facility.

"I hope to goodness that it will drag kids away from watching the stars on TV and get them playing sport instead of watching it."

As he toured the project, which was made possible with a £547,000 award from Sport England, he also reflected on England and Ireland's chances at the World Cup.

The former Newcastle, Middlesbrough and Ireland manager described Ireland's dramatic run in the tournament as 'very exciting.'