Newcastle United's trophy bus parades through city streets for Carabao Cup celebrations

Julia Barthram reports on a day that will live long in the memories of Newcastle fans

Newcastle United fans have come together to salute their footballing heroes after winning their first domestic trophy in 70 years.

Approximately 150,000 supporters lined the city's streets to watch Newcastle United players parade the Carabao Cup, triumphantly earned by the club a fortnight ago.

Eddie Howe and his players were on board the open-top bus to show off their trophy along a route from St James' Park to the Town Moor where more celebrations took place in front of an audience of around 150,000.

Also on the bus was iconic Geordie duo and Newcastle-supporting Ant and Dec who interviewed Howe and the team.

Manager Eddie Howe told the ITV stars he could not thank fans enough for their support of him.

He said: "You never know when you go to a new club if people will understand your character and I am who I am but the people have been absolutely brilliant.

"I can't thank everyone enough from Newcastle - the way they've embraced me and my family and I'm just glad to have given them some joy."

Eddie Howe tells Ant and Dec he "can't thank everyone enough" for their support and belief in him as a manager

Newcastle captain Bruno Guimarães told the presenters, "we deserve this".

"Like I said at the final, when I first signed for the club, I wanted to put my name in the club history and I have a feeling it is now," he said.

Crowds of people clad in black and white gathered outside Newcastle United's grounds, lined the streets and made the most of the vantage points offered by city centre car parks.

Others made creative use of rooftops, traffic lights and trees to catch a glimpse of history in action.

One man told ITV Tyne Tees he had travelled from Kent on a seven-hour coach which got in at 6am.

Speaking hours ahead of the parade, he said: "I would have walked here if I could - I wouldn't have missed it for the world."

Newcastle United head coach Eddie Howe watches over the black and white army as the trophy bus leaves St James' Park

The die-hard fan said the club meant "everything" to him since he was a little boy, adding: "I never thought I would see this day and I'm gonna spend it with my mum who has early onset dementia.

"It'll be a memory I'll always have - that I got to see us win a trophy and she gets to see it as well. It's a very special moment."

Another fan, a Geordie, had arrived from Leicester with his two children.

He said the club's win at Wembley earlier this month had been "one of the best days of my life".

Meanwhile, on the Town Moor, thousands gathered ahead of the bus reaching its destination.

It was expected about 150,000 people would pack out the city centre's popular green space.

A replay of the history-making final against Liverpool was shown ahead of main stage entertainment, prompting cheers from the crowds as they relived every moment of the game.

Early arrivals at the Town Moor get the best standing spots to take in main stage action

And while Newcastle was awash with black and white, it was not just fans young and old who were wearing their hearts on their sleeves.

Dogs were also dressed for the occasion.

Players took to the stage at the Town Moor ahead of a drone performance from club sponsor Sela.

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