A FOOTBALL legend is to be guest speaker at a fundraising night next month to help pay for the renovation of a church hall.

Former Celtic captain and manager Billy McNeill will be the guest at a sportsman's dinner, at Consett Civic Centre, at 7pm, on Thursday, March 30.

Money raised during the evening, which will also feature North-East comedian Ray Banks, will help towards the cost of refurbishing St Patrick's Church hall.

Organiser Gerard Donaghy said: "I'm delighted that Billy is coming to speak to us.

"We heard how well received he was at the Iona Centre, in Hartlepool, and there will be many people, not just in Consett, but all over the North-East, who will want to hear him.

"It's for a good cause, and I've already had a lot of interest for tables."

Billy McNeill, MBE, was captain of Scottish football's legendary Celtic side when, in 1967, they became the first British team to win the European Cup, earning their nickname the Lisbon Lions by beating Inter Milan 2-1 in the final in the Portuguese capital.

The 65-year-old former central defender played more than 800 times for Celtic, between 1957 and 1975, and also managed Celtic twice in the 1980s.

The church hall, in Victoria Road, Consett, is undergoing extensive renovations, which will cost £40,000, and it is hoped the sportsman's dinner will contribute £2,500 towards the total.

Parish priest, Father Jeff Dodds said: "When the work's finished, we'll have a state-of-the-art church hall, which everyone can be proud of."

For more information or to buy tickets, which are priced £25 to include a three-course dinner, contact Mr Donaghy on (01207) 503809.