ENGLAND football legend Peter Beardsley visited a school yesterday to field questions from pupils.

The former Newcastle United striker gave youngsters at Our Lady Queen of Martyrs School, in Esh Winning, advice on how they can achieve their goals.

He spoke about the importance of sport, and expressed his disappointment over England's exit from Euro 2004.

Headteacher Erica Smith said: "He talked a bit about the match then he talked a bit about his career and his favourite players today.

"He answered all their questions and signed loads of autographs on programmes, sweatshirts and football shirts.

"The children were very excited to have a celebrity and were genuinely interested to talk to him."

Mr Beardsley said he enjoyed it because it was such a small community school and ties in with Small School Week.

Mrs Smith added: "The children have been thinking about the benefits of being in a small school and one of the things they said was that it was easier to get into the football team."