A NORTH-EAST council has invited Hollywood action star Sylvester Stallone to their town.

National newspaper reports claimed yesterday that Sly had written to Gateshead Metropolitan Borough Council urging it to save the multi-storey car park, which featured in the 1971 cult gangster movie Get Carter.

But the council has denied receiving a letter from the actor, who stars in a US remake of the film.

A spokesman said: "We have certainly not received any letter from Sylvester Stallone.

"There have been a lot of changes in Gateshead and the car park is part of our old image.

"Sylvester Stallone is welcome to visit any time and see some of the exciting developments such as the Angel of the North and the Millennium Bridge."

The car park features in the famous scene where Carter, played by Sir Michael Caine, pushes a local villain to his death.

In a Film 2000 interview with Jonathan Ross, last November, Stallone said the scene was "a classic moment" in the film and aimed an appeal at the council not to pull down the car park.

The car park has been the subject of much speculation. Six months ago there were rumours it had been knocked down and Sir Michael Caine presented with a lump of concrete as a souvenir.

Residents have twice voted it Carbuncle of the Year. There are plans to replace it with a superstore.