YOUNGSTERS can boost their skills in football and other sports with the help of professional coaches at a skills centre.

A Football Association (FA) Skills Centre has opened at Spennymoor Leisure Centre, offering coaching to five to 11-year-old girls and boys.

The national Tesco FA Skills Programme is part of the FA's drive to encourage children to make their own decisions, solve problems and meet challenges.

Councillor Barbara Graham, Sedgefield Borough Council's cabinet member for leisure and culture, said: "We hope to provide exciting opportunities within our facilities to allow people to take part in sporting activities."

Richard Shuffleton, FA Skills coach at Spennymoor, said: "We are geared towards increasing the number of children enjoying football."

The skills centre is open on Wednesdays for five to seven-year-olds, from 4.30pm to 5.30pm; seven to nine-year-olds, from 5.30pm to 6.30pm; and nine and 11-year-olds, from 6.30pm to 7.30pm