Toon chief has a shot at fashion

NEWCASTLE United owner Mike Ashley is going all trendy - with a £7million move into high street fashion.

The SPORTS DIRECT empire run by Ashley will today announce it is buying Sir Tom Hunter's USC and CRUISE FASHION chains.

Cruise flogs Armani, Gucci and Vivienne Westwood shirts, shoes and handbags as well as aftershave.

It marks a huge change of direction for Sports Direct - whose Sports World stores are famed for their "pile it high, sell it cheap" gear.

Scottish tycoon Sir Tom will keep a 20 per cent stake, and move over to Sports Direct.

A source said: "This broadens Sports Direct away from the discount end of the market. It moves the dial."

The Sun revealed last week that USC was one of many high street chains struggling in the big squeeze.

JD SPORTS has been one of the best performing stores on the high street - thanks to its focus on teenage fashion.

now we know where that £35 million is being spent