A FOOTBALL league is scoring high with teenagers and steering them away from trouble.

The under-18s Youth Football League in Hartlepool has been in development for more than a year.

It is running at English Martyrs School in the town, aiming at youngsters from the town's Dyke House, Burn Valley, Burbank, West View and Owton Manor areas.

After months of hard work by staff at Hartlepool Borough Council's Football Development Programme, and Barnardo's Fast (Families Accessing Support Team), the league is keeping the teenagers off the streets.

David Burns, the council's football development officer and league secretary, said: "The project is proving a great success and now involves 100 youngsters.

"It started last year, with just coaching sessions in each of the five ward areas, and grew to teams being formed and residents gaining Football Association coaching qualifications. Resident associations are now heavily involved, there's a steering group made up of young people from each of the teams and there's a link with the neighbourhood police.

"Not only does the league enable these young people to enjoy the competitive challenges of football, it also helps them build self-discipline and confidence, learn team working and helps steer them away from anti-social behaviour."

The league is now up and running with games taking place until October, with the backing of sponsors Housing Hartlepool, Gus Robinson and Waites.

Martin Dearlove, project co-ordinator of Barnardo's Fast, said: "The league helps young people to meet others of a similar age from different areas of the town. They forge friendships and break down social boundaries among young people.

"The marvellous support from the sponsors, neighbourhood police, residents' associations and local community agencies has been vital to the league's success."

There are six teams in the league - Dyke House Brougham, Dyke House Avondale, Owton Manor, Flambrough, Burn Valley and West View.

After four fixtures, Dyke House Brougham is top of the league.

For more information, contact Mr Burns on (01429) 284050.