Former England rugby star Gareth Chilcott has opened a new live music venue in Bristol.

The one-time Bath and England prop has opened The Tunnels in two former railway arches close to Temple Meads station.

More than 300 people packed the opening night last Saturday to hear ska band The Beat.

Gareth, 52, said: "As a great fan of live music, I've always wanted to own a unique venue.

"With Bristol having a great reputation for live music, and also being my home town, it was the ideal choice."

Conversion of the former arches took five months, although Mr Chilcott would not reveal how much has been spent on the project.

He said: "When we took it on, it probably hadn't been used since Isambard Kingdom Brunel himself was around, except by a few rats.

"It's not a passing bar that will haemorrhage cash – it will only be open when there is music on.

"We had a range of soft openings – dry runs where we tested all the equipment but Saturday was the opening.

"People still want to go out in a recession, but they are more picky about what they want to do.

"We're open for music on Friday and Saturday nights with a bar and a great atmosphere."

US band Womack & Womack will be performing while soul queen Mica Paris will be on stage on November 21 at the Tunnels, which has a capacity of 360.

Gareth added: "The Tunnels Bristol has an open music policy incorporating diverse styles and genres of both established and new emerging talent from local and internationally known bands."

The project is solely funded by Gareth, who also runs the corporate hospitality arm of Gullivers Sports Travel, which is based in Tewkesbury. Gareth, a former pupil of Ashton Park School, played 14 times for England between 1984 and 1989.

He made 373 appearances for Bath Rugby Club from 1977 until he retired from the game in 1993.

He is also Honorary President of the rugby charity Wooden Spoon improving the lives of disadvantaged children and young people in Britain and Ireland.

Tickets for all of these events can be booked via Bristol Ticket shop on 0117 929 9008 or via their website which can be found at www.bristolticketshop.co.uk.