CROWDS gathered yesterday as a giant silver sculpture was unveiled to mark a North East shopping centre’s anniversary.

Gateshead’s Metrocentre first opened its doors a quarter of a century ago this month when the red mall began welcoming shoppers.

Since then, the centre has created thousands of jobs and attracted millions of visitors.

Now, in the first of a year-long programme of ‘larger than life’ events to mark 25 years of progress, the Newcastle Eagles unveiled the 12ft molten silver shopping bag installation in the centre’s Town Square.

The shopping bag is the first in a series commemorative silver installations that will be launched in the centre across this year.

The bag was unveiled by Eagles players Darius Defoe, Kadiri Richard, Andre Lockhart and team captain Andrew Bridge.

Four more installations, all produced by local companies, will be launched over the coming months, each challenging shoppers to guess the contents and win top prizes.

The centre’s official opening took place on October 14, 1986, with the completion of the remaining malls. Another four installations, all produced by local companies, will be revealed over the next few months, each featuring a shopping bag, with visitors challenged to guess the contents and win top prizes.

Kenneth Davies, 82, from Rowlands Gill, Gateshead, officially opened the Metrocentre with Sir John Hall in October 1986.

Kenneth, who was employed as the centre’s Santa Claus, said: “I was here on the very first day and every Christmas for four years after that.

“Back then there weren’t all the shops they have now. It certainly has changed a lot.”

As part of the celebrations, a flashmob of more than 60 people last night gathered at the instillation to dance around their handbags to the sound of the Jackson 5’s Blame it on the Boogie for three minutes before dispersing back into the crowds.

Tim Lamb, Metrocentre general manager, said: “Metrocentre has played such a major role in the lives of many shoppers, which is why its anniversary theme is so appropriate.

“Today’s larger than life celebration will reinforce Metrocentre’s impact on the region over the past 25 years.

“We want our customers to celebrate our anniversary with us and we have a phased roll-out of exciting events, competitions and promotions, designed with our customers’ experience in mind.”