CHILDREN in Hartlepool are being invited to enter a competition with tickets to a football match for the winners.

They have been asked to write a poem or story on the theme of football.

The prize for each of the four best entries is a pair of tickets to Hartlepool United's home game against Sheffield Wednesday on Friday, October 10.

The competition is open to anyone aged under 16 living in the town's New Deal for Communities (NDC) area.

Stories should be no longer than 1,000 words and poems should be no longer than 30 lines. Each entry must have the child's full name, address and age.

Entries should be sent to Karen Sheader, Sir William Gray House, Hartlepool, TS24 8BT. The closing date for entries is September 26.