A SCHOOL football team's dreams of success were left in tatters - by a gang of marauding mice.

The side, from Bloemfontein Primary School, in Craghead, near Stanley, County Durham, had to abandon their blue and white shirts, complete with school badge, after the rodents ate their way through almost all the first team's strips, which were stored in an outbuilding near the school.

Teacher Bill Atkinson said: "The holes in the kit were absolutely huge.

"Those mice must have ended up some size."

The team had to take the field in the reserve all-white strip, but are now back to their sartorial best.

The children have been bought a new strip by Stanley Round Table, which will be delivered in time for the team's next match, in February.

"The children can't wait for their new strip, especially as it will have the school badge on in pride of place," said Mr Atkinson.

"The children take great pride in representing their school and it's going to be marvellous to see them in it.

"We're a very small school and couldn't find the money for new shirts, so for the Round Table to come in was an absolute godsend."