A POLICE force is hoping to find youngsters on the ball when it comes to name-calling.

Children attending classes at Middlesbrough Football Club's Cellnet Riverside Stadium, on Teesside, are being invited to name Cleveland Police's two latest recruits to the force's mounted section.

Police want youngsters to suggest names for the horses that have a Middlesbrough FC theme.

They are also writing to primary schools, asking pupils to come up with names reflecting the area's history.

Inspector Ross Sibley, head of the mounted section, said: "In the past, the region's children have come up with some wonderful names for our horses, and we are confident they will rise to the challenge again.

"This is the first time we have linked up with the football club, because we would like one of the horses to have a Boro-related name.''

Dave Allan, communications manager at Middlesbrough FC, said: "The mounted section plays an important role around the stadium on match days, so we thought this was a great opportunity to join forces with the police. No doubt Boro fans will see both horses over the months ahead."