Teesside'S first mini-soccer centre has opened.

The centre, which cost about £50,000, is part of Teesside Athletic Junior Football Club in Redcar, and caters for players aged between five and ten.

Mini-soccer has the same rules as football, but the team and pitch sizes are reduced depending on the age of the players.

Club secretary Kevin Fryett said: "The club is very proud to have achieved the acquisition of the mini-soccer centre, which is the first step in our very ambitious development plans.

"The facility gives the club the opportunity to provide our young members with the best possible introduction into football.

"We have already seen an increase in participation as it is one of only a few approved mini-soccer centres in the North-East, which is something Redcar should be proud of.

"In addition to the club's members benefiting, we intend to develop community use and via the FA's school and club link, develop effective partnerships with local schools."

Funding for the project came from groups including the Football Association's Mini-Soccer Capital Projects Scheme, which invested £35,000.

The club also got support from the National Lottery funded Awards For All, Tees Youth Development Programme, Langbaurgh Primary Care Trust's Easy Access Fund, Redcar and Cleveland Community Safety Partnership and West Redcar Single Regeneration Budget.

The centre has six pitches, as well as a car park to ease congestion in Green Lane.

Car dealership CD Bramall, of Middlesbrough, is sponsoring the centre for five years.

The official opening included games, bouncy castles, a barbecue and various stalls. Redcar MP Vera Baird attended to present prizes to the winners of a football competition.