A SCHOOL is taking its shirt off to a nine-year-old soccer- mad schoolboy.

Rhys Gething, a pupil at Park End Primary, Middlesbrough, scored with the judges of a national competition with his design for a new football strip.

Contest sponsor Wash and Go shampoo has taken up the design and had it made up for the school soccer team.

Rhys who plays for the school, said: "I am very excited and happy to be chosen. I got my idea from a drawing I did at home and my mum and granddad said they liked the kit."

Headteacher Mrs Gent said: "We are delighted to have won the kit because we always tell the children 'You've got to be in to win'. This proves it.

"We are very keen to develop sports skills and football plays a prominent part.