YOUNG women representing Newcastle United and Sunderland AFC have held their own Derby Day fixture ahead of this weekend's match at St James' Park.

The teams, made up of female footballers aged 14-16, played in a seven-a-side game in North Shields recently.

It is part of the Building Bridges project which helps tackle crime and anti-social behaviour between young fans, which was launched last year.

The Magpies were represented by hosts John Spence Community School, with Biddick Academy donning Sunderland's red and white stripes.

Both schools are part of the Premier League Girls Football programme for Foundation of Light and Newcastle United Foundation.

Helen Byrne, the Foundation of Light's development officer said: "The girls were a credit to their schools and the foundations they were representing.

"It was great to see that the power of football can be used to bring young players together who support different teams and tackle a number of social agendas within society such as crime and anti-social behaviour."

The project was made possible by Northumbria’s Police and Crime Commissioner Vera Baird who donated £20,000 from the Community Safety Fund.

Lisa Bell, project coordinator at Newcastle United Foundation, said: “The game was played in a great spirit with both teams embracing the occasion in the build up to the Tyne and Wear Derby."