ONE of the North-East's top football clubs has launched an initiative to stop young people taking up smoking.

Middlesbrough FC, in partnership with Teesside Health Action Zone, has arranged four football tournament days for 500 children aged ten and 11.

The children are all pupils in the Grangetown, South Bank, Eston and Normanby areas, of Middlesbrough.

Activities on the tournament days include an anti-smoking quiz and games.

Every child taking part will receive a Kick The Habit with Football T-shirt, and winning teams in the football tournament will win a Middlesbrough FC gift bag.