LANGUAGE students had a lesson with a difference yesterday as two football stars dropped in to lend a hand.

Darlington FC players Bertrand Bossu and Guy Ndumbu-Nsungu held a class with pupils at Hummersknott School and Languages College, encouraging them to brush up on their French.

Congolese striker Ndumbu-Nsungu and French goalkeeper Bossu are both native French speakers, and took time out from their preparations for tomorrow's game against Cheltenham to help pupils with their studies.

The players conducted a question-and-answer session using only French and spoke to the class about their lives and careers.

Students crowded round the players asking for autographs and collecting Player Zone stickers from them, which can then be stuck into a club yearbook or poster.

Goalkeeper Bossu said he hoped they had made some new fans in the school.

"The players always enjoy meeting the fans and the kids at Hummersknott School seemed really pleased to see Guy and me," he said.

"Their French is pretty good and we were able to chat with them about football, keeping healthy and how we have adapted to life in Darlington."

He added: "We gave out lots of Player Zone stickers and hopefully encouraged some new fans to come along and sample the atmosphere when we play Cheltenham."