PUPILS from schools across Middlesbrough visited the town's football club yesterday to mark the fifth anniversary of the Middlesbrough FC study support centre.

And they received an award from club chairman Steve Gibson for taking part in the Playing for Success scheme at the centre, which has helped raise literacy, numeracy and ICT standards among pupils, primarily at after-school clubs.

Mr Gibson presented awards and certificates to pupils from Acklam Grange and Ormesby secondary schools and Rose Wood, Sunnyside, St Joseph's, Hemlington Hall, Viewley Hill, St Augustine's and Park End primary schools.

More than 5,000 students have attended the study centre since it opened and centre manager Martin Hedgley said: "We recently won a Big Tick award that recognised the contribution the centre is making to education.

"It was a tremendous boost to have Steve Gibson at the presentation as it really shows the strength of the partnership between Middlesbrough FC and Playing for Success. I know the students were delighted he marked the milestone with us."

There was also an exhibition of students' work and a film on the football club produced by the children from St Augustine's at the event.