The former footballer used to play matches at the ground

As a boy, Mr Charlton and his brother Bobby played at the Hirst Welfare Ground, in Ashington, Northumberland.

The money has been used to develop the centre to house a range of community and sports facilities and a number of football pitches.

Mr Charlton and National Union of Mineworkers chairman Ian Lavery are kicking off a weekend of festivities.

The project to build the centre has been run by a partnership team headed by the Ashington Joint Welfare Trustees and funding has come from a range of sources.

Focal point

On Saturday, it will be open to the public so they can see the new facilities.

Over the weekend, the Parkhead & Wansbeck Powerlifting Club, which is based at the centre, will be hosting the first Commonwealth Powerlifting Championships.

Ashington Joint Welfare Trust secretary John Dunn said: "We want people to come and see for themselves what a splendid new amenity this is in the town.

"In the few months we have been open usage of the centre has gone through the roof and we are providing activities and amenities for people of all ages.

"For generations Hirst Welfare was a social and sporting focal point in our community and with the opening of our new amenities and facilities it is getting back to what it was in its heyday."