By Anthony Marshall - Newcastle United Club Reporter

Newcastle United's stadium played host to the Olympic flame on Friday evening, with a changeover in front of the Sir Bobby Robson statue.

Tyneside was the venue for day number 28 of the torch relay, and just after 6pm it reached the stadium, which will play host to nine football matches during the Games between 26th July and 4th August.

Joanna Louise-Lacey took over the flame - with the process referred to as a 'kiss' - under the watchful eye of the Magpies' former legendary manager, and it then made its way through China Town, before heading towards the Quayside.

TV presenter Bear Grylls zip-lined off the Tyne Bridge with the torch, landing next to the Millennium Bridge and 14-year-old disabled athlete William Hardy, who had both legs and one arm amputated after suffering from meningitis as a toddler, ran the final leg of the day.