TWELVE youngsters received VIP tickets to see Middlesbrough versus West Ham on Saturday, after showing they were community-minded.

The year nine children from Freeburn Community College wrote about anti-social behaviour and answered questions on their favourite football team.

Club mascot Rory the Lion took the group to the Riverside Stadium for lunch before the game.

The competition was organised by Cleveland Police Neighbourhood Task Group.

PC Allen Evans said: "Young people often get such a negative press but here we have twelve students who have shown outstanding awareness of what is and is not acceptable behaviour."

"We are delighted to team up with Redcar and Cleveland council and the football club to reward these youngsters."