YOUNGSTERS from the most deprived parts of a North-East town were treated to a dream trip to see England's football heroes in action last night.

Nine Darlington children watched the national team take on Azerbaijan at Newcastle United's St James's Park ground.

They were taken to the vital World Cup qualifying game after Darlington Partnership received complimentary tickets from regional development agency One NorthEast.

The group of youngsters - aged from eight to 16 - came from the town's Lascelles, Skerne Park, Firthmoor and North Road areas.

Martin Landers, Darlington Partnership's community representative, took them by minibus to the packed stadium.

He said: "The tickets were sent on the condition that they went to children from the deprived wards in Darlington. We asked all the community partnerships to put children forward and we drew the winners out of a hat."