JONNY WILKINSON’S boot handed the Webb Ellis Trophy to England last November – and the Newcastle Falcons ace was on hand over the World Cup from Northumberland to Durham on Newcastle’s Millennium Bridge during the current Sweet Chariot Tour.

That was just one of the events held in the North East last week as crowds flocked to see the famous Webb Ellis Trophy.

Over 2,000 had their picture taken with the trophy at the Gateshead Metro Centre on Sunday.

“I think everything went well,” said Northumberland Sweet Chariot co-ordinator Alan Moses. “An awful lot of people had the opportunity to see the trophy and we generated a lot of interest in the sport of rugby union.

“We also raised over £1,600 for the Wooden Spoon Society, the rugby union charity, at various events around the North East.

“A lot of people who wouldn’t normally be involved with the game were exposed to it and, hopefully, we can build on that for the future.”

As well as visiting the Gateshead Metro Centre, the famous trophy also went to Wallsend, Northumbria University, Ashington, and Cramlington during its stay in Northumberland

And then it headed to Durham where it went to Ryton, Consett, Horden, Stockton, Hartlepool, Billingham and Darlington during its three-day tour of the county..

The RFU hopes that the Sweet Chariot tour will help to raise the profile of the sport both in traditional rugby-playing areas and in regions currently under-represented in the sport.

The euphoria that followed the events in Sydney have been underpinned at grassroots level by the RFU's Rugby - Making An Impact strategy aimed at increasing participation and retention in playing, coaching, officiating and administration.

IMPACT, which stands for Inclusion, Modernisation, Partnerships, Appropriate facilities, Club/school links and Training and coaching, is a three-stage blueprint for community rugby in England.

The public were able to have their photograph taken alongside the cup and in front of a backdrop of the Telstra Stadium giving an impression they were actually at the game.

There was also be the opportunity to kick for World Cup glory in an inflatable kicking cage, score a try and provide a commentary on the winning drop goal. As well as rugby displays and competitions.

The Sweet Chariot tour is in association with sponsors EA SPORTS, Ford, Holiday Inn, Land Rover and Lucozade Sport.