NEWCASTLE United threw open the gates of the club’s famous football ground so Magpies fans from across the North East could watch the players train.

Fans young and old queued outside St James’ Park from 6am to make sure they got the best seat in the house for Newcastle United’s special open training day.

More than 9,000 packed out part of the stadium to watch the squad, while the younger fans also took part in a skills workshop.

Parents brought their children along to the popular event for an end of half term treat, which many said was the highlight of the week.

Sarah Japes, of Kingston Park in Newcastle, brought her two sons Ellis, seven, and five-year-old Ashton.

“It has been fabulous, they have been dying to get here this week,” said the 31-year-old Northern Rock worker.

“It is great for the fans and the young ones to come here because a lot of the little ones will not get a chance to come to the stadium because it is too expensive.

“If you think about it these young ones are the future fans who will be putting their money into the club in years to come and for them to be able to come and see the players is brilliant.” One United fan even got the chance to have a kick-about with the players.