A DRIVE is being launched in Middlesbrough to get children fit through playing football.

Children in the home town of Premier League Middlesbrough FC will benefit from a £148,000 healthy living project.

The Football Foundation, the UK's largest sports charity, has joined forces with the club's community programme to run a comprehensive healthy lifestyle programme, promoting healthy lifestyles, physical activities, literacy and numeracy education and after school coaching clubs.

Coaches and project workers will visit both primary and secondary schools, using football as a key to motivation. The scheme also hopes to address crime and anti-social behaviour.

Boro manager, Steve McClaren said: "This superb new initiative will ensure that kids get the best possible start in life. With this fantastic grant from the Football Foundation our Football in the Community Scheme is set to improve the health and education of thousands of young people.''