PRIMARY school pupils had an end-of-term treat when ladies’ football star Steph Houghton visited and led a training session.

The 26-year-old England player and Manchester City captain, who started her career with her native Sunderland, was invited to Bullion Lane Primary School in Chester-le-Street, by the school’s football team coach, Norman Ferguson who taught Ms Houghton several years ago.

The player, who scored three goals for the Great Britain team in the 2012 London Olympics and was named left-back of the tournament, gave a talk in assembly, led training with Mr Ferguson and presented the team with new match jackets that were designed by school uniform supplier SALTO who also donated footballs to the school.

School head Sarah Barningham said Ms Houghton told the youngsters that she tried different sports before settling on football.

“She was inspiring the children to try different sports now and then focus their talents on one when they are older.

“The children loved it, they were really excited by it. Each of the team has a signed photograph that she did for them.

“Some of the children remembered her from the Olympics and some of them had seen the match she was in at the weekend.”

Ms Houghton also signed a donated football to be a prize in the school’s Christmas raffle.