FUNDING has been secured to keep a popular football scheme for youngsters running in Ferryhill.

Beat officers Sergeant Brian O'Connor and PC Chris Metcalfe set the scheme up in an effort to reduce anti-social behaviour.

They enlisted the help of Darlington Football Club's football in the community scheme, which provides coaches for the sessions.

The scheme has surpassed all expectations, with sessions regularly attracting more than 100 youngsters.

The officers applied for funding from the Durham Police Authority community fund, which will cover the costs of this year's programme.

Sgt O'Connor said: "It has been a success and has had an effect on reducing problems in Dean Bank. We intend to continue it as long as we can, with the help of Darlington FC."

A football scheme was initially organised by previous beat officer Sgt Gavin Musgrave, with Paul Bielby as a coach. It stopped for a while when Mr Bielby left to become a Fifa registered agent, but Sgt O'Connor and PC Metcalfe have now taken over and have been helped by neighbourhood wardens.

The sessions are at 6pm on Fridays, on the Dean Bank park facility, provided free by Ferryhill Town Council.

Executive officer Jamie Corrigan said: "There seems to be a disproportionately massive interest in football in Ferryhill.

"We have a population of 11,000, but we have 17 teams playing on our pitches and the town youth team is going from strength to strength.

"This is the reason why the town council is looking to develop a football centre of excellence here."