CHILDREN have been given the chance to improve their football skills with the help of a Premiership team.

Stokesley Leisure Centre has teamed up with Middlesbrough to give weekly coaching under the club's Football in the Community scheme.

The sessions, for five to seven-year-olds, begin today.

Centre assistant manager David Earl said: "These sessions are bound to be very popular."

He said the coaches would provide high-quality training and everyone taking part would receive a certificate and football club goody bag.

The course, which is from 9.30am to 11am, costs £25 for ten weeks.