A NORTH-EAST women's football team struck gold when they decided they needed a celebrity boost.

For Shirley Eaton, who appeared in the James Bond film Goldfinger, has agreed to be the new honorary president of Chester-le-Street Town Ladies FC.

The actress has gone down in Bond folklore for playing the part of Jill Masterson, who meets a grisly end when covered in gold paint.

The scene is now regarded as a movie classic.

Football club manager Bill Godward is an old friend of the actress. He first met her in 1960 while he was working part-time for BBC radio in Nottingham.

Mr Godward, 65, said: "Shirley and I hit it off - we just became friends.

"With Shirley, I talked about anything and everything and we stayed in contact for a time."

Although he eventually lost touch, Mr Godward decided to contact her again when an appeal for items for a celebrity auction to raise money for the club proved unsuccessful.

He decided he needed a big name to promote the club.

Mr Godward dug out Miss Eaton's address and asked her if she would be the honorary president.

The actress was more than happy to accept.

She said: "I am thrilled and honoured to be appointed president of Chester-le-Street.

"To help the club in any way gives me great joy."

Mr Godward is now hoping to persuade the screen legend to visit a match.

He said: "We spoke about it on the phone and she does go to a lot of James Bond conventions.

"But she said that if she's got a spare weekend, she's going to let me know."

Miss Eaton gave the club a number of signed photographs of her to help with fundraising. They are available at £15 each from Mr Godward on (0191) 4914823.