MORE than 40 youngsters have been brushing up on their footballing skills - with the help of a Premiership side.

They have been taking part in the latest Football in the Community event organised by Bedale Leisure Centre with Middlesbrough Football Club.

The youngsters - six to 13-year-olds - spent three days with coaches from the Boro - with three boys excelling.

Jonny (CORRECT) Saving, 11, of Leeming Bar, was the eventual winner of a closely fought penalty shoot out; and Zak Spence, 13and from Bedale, showed promise in the American shoot out - where they had a time limit to try and score.

But it was Tom Target from Bedale who took the Player of the Week trophy, not only for his football ability but his gentlemanly and well-mannered behaviour.

Middlesbrough FC will return to Bedale as part of future holiday activity programmes.