NAMING the Saints bridge in honour of Steve Prescott is a fitting tribute to how strong a man he was, his widow Linzi told a ceremony tonight.

More than one thousand people gathered beside the footbridge this evening for an event that saw Saints and St Helens Council unite to name it after one of the town's greatest sons.

Crowds were told it was fitting that the bridge links the town he loved so much with the home of the club he played for with such distinction.

Designs that will be installed on the bridge were unveiled by Steve's sons Koby and Taylor.

Speaking on stage Linzi said: "The reaction of the people of St Helens makes me feel so proud - the turn out here is fantastic and is really comforting to us as a family. 

"I am sure Steve would have felt very proud and honoured. He didn't do what he did for recognition so he would have been embarrassed by all of this too.

"Stephen and I learned to be strong over the past few years and having the bridge in his name will provide a lasting memory of how strong he was."

Tonight's event took place three months after Steve passed away at the age of 39 following an immense seven year battle with cancer.

Hundreds watched the ceremony - which took place ahead of Saints' clash with Hull - despite it opening to driving rain.

The designs for the bridge - to be installed at a later date - include the iconic image of Steve celebrating one of his two tries at Wembley in 1996 and features the motto his monumental challenges came to be defined by: "The body achieves what the mind believes."

Taylor, 12, giving a speech to the crowd, said: "On behalf of Koby my mum and I would like to say a massive thank you to St Helens Council and Saints for naming the bridge after my dad.

"He was and always will be our hero and will be in our hearts and minds forever.

"This landmark will remind future generations how great our dad was and what he meant to the people of St Helens.

"We hope his name will continue to inspire people as he continues to inspire us everyday.