A PROFESSIONAL footballer is helping revive a local club.

Middlesbrough defender Colin Cooper is coaching youngsters from Port Clarence Football Club.

The revival is being undertaken as part of a BBC Voices project that will see stations working with almost 50 communities in Britain. BBC Radio Cleveland is spending three months broadcasting from the Clarences estates, near Billingham.

Producer Celeste Hicks said: "Port Clarence FC disappeared years ago, but there are still lots of children who want to play football. We want to help resurrect the team.''

Ship builder Swan Hunters has provided strips.