YOUNGSTERS at a school on Teesside are in a class of their own.

Ravensworth Primary School at Normanby, Middlesbrough, have become the first recipients of an award named after one of Boro's past skippers.

Middlesbrough Football Club had no hesitation in presenting the Willie Maddren Centre Award - a crystal vase - to the school.

The presentation made by Willie's wife, Hillary, at a school assembly, yesterday, was in recognition of the school's work with the Riverside Stadium's Willie Maddren Education Centre, which aims to educate children through football.

Ravensworth's deputy Dave Hammond said: "We're proud of our partnership with Middlesbrough Football Club. Our work with them has had a highly positive effect not only on the children but on their parents too. Improved motivation, community attitude and results have all been by-products of our relationship.

"I can't speak too highly of the staff at the Willie Maddren Centre. They have been an inspiration to our pupils, especially some who perhaps weren't as keen on school as they might have been. I hope we can develop our links with the club even further."