IT has hosted an array of superstars from the worlds of sport and music and helped nurture the talents of the region's Olympic champions since it opened half a century ago.

The list is endless - but among the roll call are Steve Cram, Brendan Foster, Lassy Viren, Colin Jackson, Jonathan Edwards and Paula Radcliffe; Tina Turner, Rod Stewart, Guns 'n' Roses, Simply Red, Bryan Adams and Bon Jovi.

Originally known as the Gateshead Youth Stadium, when it opened, it consisted of no more than a cinder track and asphalt cycle velodrome.

Since then, the stadium has played a central role in the community and the wider region and is still developing, with more facilities expected to be completed by the end of the year.

To mark this weekend's milestone, about 50 past and present members of the Gateshead Harriers, who are based at the stadium, came together to celebrate the half-century of records and sporting achievements that have put the stadium and Gateshead on the sporting map.

Owned and managed by Gateshead Council, the stadium opened on August 27, 1955 by British marathon runner Jim Peters - the first person in the world to run the 26.2-mile distance in under two hours 20 minutes.

The stadium was also the training ground for Harriers who went on to become household names, including Olympic champions Jonathan Edwards and Stephen Miller, as well as Steve Cram and Brendan Foster, who set a 3000 metres world record on the newly upgraded tartan track in 1974.

Mr Foster said: "I have competed at many venues around the world, but for me, Gateshead International Stadium will always be special. It is where I broke the world record in 1974 and where I have enjoyed the support of a knowledgeable and noisy home crowd.

"This 50th anniversary is a great sporting milestone and the stadium's future plans will add to its reputation as a hub of athletic excellence and give a boost to all the up-and-coming sportsmen and women who will train and perform here."

Every year, more than 12,000 school children participate in sporting events at the stadium, more than 200,000 people use the facilities for exercise and 11 sports clubs are closely associated with the venue.

The stadium has also hosted a range of international events, including the World Veterans Athletics Championships, the Spar European Cup and the past two Norwich Union British Grand Prix, which saw Paula Radcliffe and Denise Lewis competing.

Work has begun on a new development at the site - an integrated sports facility, a sports centre and a range of sport-related education and training programmes with Gateshead College and the Learning and Skills Council.

The two-storey development will have an indoor athletics training centre with six-lane sprint track, jumping and throwing facilities, facilities for sports science, sports medicine, strength and conditioning activity, consulting rooms and staff support areas and a fitness room.

There will also be an outdoor floodlit throwing area and three outdoor sports pitches, including two floodlit artificial turf pitches. The development will house Gateshead College's teaching and resource facilities and be home to 300 students from the college's sport and leisure department.