A JUNIOR football club based in North Yorkshire has been singled out as a shining example of grass roots excellence by the Football Association.

Northallerton Juniors FC, which caters for 350 youngsters aged between five and 16, has been voted the English FA's Charter Standards Development Club of the Year.

The club was the first in England to receive Charter Standard Development Club status during the summer in recognition of its high standards of coaching.

It also had to provide evidence that it had expanded training of both male and female youngsters, that all coaches were FA qualified and that an exit strategy was in place to feed senior clubs and actively encourage young players in their quest to become professionals.

Club chairman George Layfield said: "The charter is to help raise standards of football at grass roots and feed through into the national game.

"Northallerton Juniors is now deemed by the FA to be the best of the best and this is all down to the partnership between excellent coaches and hard-working players."

The club was also delighted that secretary Steve Cook received the Charter Standards Administrator of the Year award.

The club was presented with certificates and plaques by Ken Bowyer, president of the North Riding County FA, at its Romanby ground.