THE sports and arts boss who played a part in bringing the Velodrome and the Riverfront theatre to Newport is leaving the council.

Iain Varah, head of continuing learning and leisure, has been instrumental in sourcing over £28 million of inward investment for the city. Mr Varah, 42, joined the council eight years ago and led the teams that secured funding for many of Newport's flagship projects.

He will take over as head of leisure and culture with the London borough of Redbridge.

The £16.5m Riverfront theatre opened to widespread acclaim last Friday and was backed by a Arts Council for Wales grant of £8.5m.

When the medieval ship was discovered, Mr Varah helped secure an extra £3.5m for the Assembly to protect the ship.

Mr Varah also helped get funding for the Newport International Sports Village, where the £7.5m velodrome opened a year ago and a 25m competition pool costing £4.5m is set to open in 2006.

He said the three landmark facilities were the highlights of his time in management and added: "We're now probably the strongest culture and leisure centre in Wales and are comparable to the rest of the UK.

"My staff are very talented and work hard. They've been entered for a local government team of the year award.

"We've achieved an awful lot. I've thoroughly enjoyed being here and I feel sad to leave.

"I see myself as an honorary Newportonian. Since I've come to live here I've noticed the same sense of community that there is in my home in the North East. It's very welcoming."

Councillors at the full council meeting this week heaped praise on Mr Varah.

Council leader Bob Bright said: "He's a very dynamic man who has worked incredibly hard. He will be sadly missed."

And Councillor Glyn Jarvis, the former cabinet member for culture and recreation, said: "Iain was a big part of what's happened in Newport. It would've been much harder to get the grants and support if he hadn't been here.

"The hours he works have been incredible. He's often still in the office at 9pm."