FANS of Middlesbrough FC have defeated those of neighbouring Hartlepool United to reach the last 16 in a nationwide hunt for the most generous supporters.

Boro fans are now in the running to win the Send Shirts to Skopje Cup, for the supporters who send the most football shirts to the poverty-stricken former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia.

Yorkshire Building Society, which launched the cup, has already collected more than 1,500 outgrown and old shirts from across the country.

Carling Cup winners Middlesbrough, who have donated a large number of adult and children's shirts to the campaign, are joined in the last 16 by Sunderland, who beat Newcastle in their heat.

England's victors will take on fans in Scotland to decide the British champions.

Yorkshire Building Society's David Holmes said: "We are delighted with the response we have had from fans, clubs, players and the media.

"But we can still do more to spread sunshine in Skopje and forge a lasting bond with this country, by giving football fans items they will treasure.

"We particularly appeal to the fans of teams that haven't yet got behind us, to show how generous they can be and to let us have shirts that would otherwise by thrown out, or left in a cupboard."

To find the nearest location where shirts can be handed in, log on to www.ybs.co.uk or send shirts to Send Shirts to Skopje, c/o Catapult PR, 19a-20a Marsh Mill Village, Thornton Cleveleys, Lancs, FY5 4JZ.