NORTH-EAST schools have been some of the first in the country to receive a visit from a famous sporting trophy.

The Premier League trophy was on display today in Archibald Primary School in Middlesbrough and Preston Primary School in Eaglescliffe, near Stockton.

The trophy is touring the country as part of the Premier League Primary Stars, which aims to use the prize to promote PE activities in schools.

The programme is being supported by MFC Foundation, the charity arm of Middlesbrough Football Club.

Middlesbrough FC players Jordan McGhee and Mikael Soisalo visited the schools to take part in a question and answer session with pupils and join in with sporting activities in the playground.

Boro mascot Rory the Lion was also in attendance to take part in some dancing.

Sue Richardson, head teacher at Preston Primary School, said: “It has been fantastic for the children to be able to see the trophy – it is once in a lifetime experience for them.”

Andy Martin, primary skills consultant, said: “We only started the scheme yesterday and these two schools are only the seventh and eighth in the country to see the trophy.

Alan Cawthorne, project co-ordinator at MFC Foundation, added: “It is our aim to go into schools and work with teachers to develop the way they deliver PE classes.”