TWO football-mad college students are bidding au revoir to the North-East as they prepare to spend the rest of the summer on the French Riviera.

Tony Coe and Alan Oliver, who are studying sports coaching and activity leadership, have lined up a labour of love during their summer holiday.

They will spend two months running football coaching sessions for five to 16-year-olds, of various nationalities, at La Carabasse, a holiday park in the south of France.

Tony and Alan, both 19 and from Washington, attend Gates-head College's Academy for Sport, based at Gateshead International Stadium.

They are among the first to complete a new sport coaching course, which they progressed to having completed the national diploma in sport performance and excellence, at the college.

Alan said: "I can't wait to go. It should be a really good experience and it will also look great on our CVs.

"We've really enjoyed our time at college and, when this course started, it was ideal for us because we knew we wanted to specialise in coaching."

The NVQ level two in sports coaching and activity leadership was introduced at the college last September. Officicials said it was proving a big success.

Course lecturer Steve Common said: "I'm really pleased with what all the students on the course have achieved, especially since they are the first to study this qualification."

Some students from the course have been accepted on scholarships at universities in the US and four are working with Newcastle United Football Club's community coaching scheme.

More information about the course is available from the college, on 0191-490-2246, or visit www.gateshead.ac.uk