FAST-FOOTED youngsters in south Durham have been training with a professional football striker.

Once a top marksman for Newcastle United, Middlesbrough, and Darlington, Alun Armstrong joined a group of 13-to-16-year-olds at a Northern League ground in Wear Valley for a game last week.

Street warden Louis Hodkinson has organised the match for the second year running at Crook Town FC’s Millfield Ground in a bid to keep teenagers entertained.

“Just like last year it turned out to be a huge success and it was excellent for Alun Armstrong to come along and support the event,” he said.

“The lads thoroughly enjoyed themselves and were all asking if we could arrange it again next year. So it looks we’ll be going for a hat-trick next year.”