OLYMPIC champion Sebastian Coe yesterday visited the North-East to officially open a stadium development.

The revamped Gateshead International Stadium includes top quality sports facilities, a community-based sports centre and a broad range of sport-related education and training programmes, in partnership with Gateshead College.

Lord Coe said: "Our vision is to reach young people all around the world and to connect them with the inspirational power of the (Olympic) Games - so they are inspired to choose sport."

He said the facilities demonstrated the North-East's commitment to investing in sport.

The project was financed by One NorthEast, Sport England, Government Office North East, Northern Rock Foundation, the Learning and Skills Council, Tyne Wear Partnership, Gateshead College and Gateshead Council.

The stadium, owned and managed by the council, was originally opened in 1955 when it consisted of a cinder track and asphalt cycle velodrome.

The latest development includes an 82-metre athletics training hall, facilities for sports science and medicine, strength and conditioning activity, consulting rooms, classrooms, staff support areas and a fitness room.

There is also an outdoor floodlit athletics area, and three outdoor sports pitches, including two floodlit artificial turf pitches.

The centre will be the regional hub site for the English Institute of Sport in the North-East.

The facility also houses Gateshead College's Academy of Sport, which provides full- time courses for more than 300 students, and part-time courses and programmes for employers.

Students can join academies for football, rugby, netball, basketball and athletics.