A FLOURISHING female football club has received a helpful shot-in-the-arm on the eve of the new season, from the County Durham Foundation.

Lumley Ladies FC, the biggest girls/women's football club in the North-East, received £5,540 from the foundation's Local Network Fund for Children and Young People.

It will help to provide strips, other equipment, training kit and pitch hire for three of the club's junior girls teams.

Club treasurer Dennis Price said: "As costs continue to rise, this award could not have come at a better time, with girls' football continuing to develop at a rapid pace."

Lumley Ladies will have 12 teams in the forthcoming season, from under-nines to two senior teams, and the first team about to start its third season at the fourth tier of women's football in this country, in the Premier Division of the North-East Regional League.

Although based in Chester-le-Street, the club welcomes players from all over the area with the simple message: If you can reach us, you'll be made welcome.

The club is FA Charter Standard accredited and operates the FA Child Protection policy in full.

More players are welcome, with further information available from Mr Price, on 0191-389-4494.