PUPILS investigating their area’s rich sporting history have been visited by some local heroes.

Former North-East footballers Darren Holloway, Eric Gates and Frank Palmer were at Peases West Primary School to talk to youngsters about their glory days.

The school, in Billy Row, near Crook, County Durham, picked football as the term theme. Children have learnt about local heroes such as Jack Greenwell, who played for Crook Town and went on to play for and manage Barcelona.

Older children have created an animation about his career, which was shown to the school on the afternoon.

Youngsters also invited their parents for a day of activities and competitions at the school to end the project.

John Phelan, from the Durham Amateur Football Trust, showed youngsters old football shirts and memorabilia from Crook Town FC.

Headteacher Judith Stirk said: “Everyone has really enjoyed it. We are obviously very keen on taking part in sport and we got a really good turnout of parents.”