Football star Paul Anderson returned to the streets where he played as a teenager to open an all-weather sports pitch.

The Nottingham Forest player was invited to launch the area in Dieppe Way, on the Fairmead estate, in Melton.

The 21-year-old, whose family live in John O'Gaunt, near Melton, used to play football with his friends on the estate's streets when he lived in Scalford Road as a child.

He said: "I had quite a few friends who lived on the estate and I hung around there as a young lad, so it was nice to be able to go back and open this. We used to play football on the roads so it's great the youngsters now have a safe area.

"I would have loved to have had this as a youngster growing up.

"It's good for youngsters who have nothing to do because a lot of them live for their sport and it helps keep you away from trouble."

Ward borough councillor Joe Orson said: "It's great Paul could find time in his busy schedule to come and open the multi-use games area.

"The kids really enjoyed meeting him and showing off their footballing skills.

"Paul knows of the estate from his time as a lad in Melton and is keen to see regeneration in the area."