TWO former North-East football stars have been teaching pupils a lesson in tackling racism.

Former Sunderland captain Gary Bennett and ex-Newcastle United defender John Anderson visited Belmont Community School, in Belmont, Durham City, as part of the Show Racism the Red Card campaign.

All the school’s year seven pupils spent a day in workshops and sporting activities designed to help them develop respect for others and challenge prejudice and intolerance.

The two ex-professionals led football fitness workshops and took part in a question-and-answer session.

Racism in football has been back in the news recently following the Luis Suarez and John Terry cases and the £65,000 fine imposed on Serbia for racist abuse and violence towards England Under-21 players.

Kick It Out campaign chairman Lord Ouseley has called for matches to be stopped if racism becomes evident.