YOUNGSTERS in Shildon can continue to play football after a council stepped in to replace stolen goal nets.

This week, children from the town's junior football club were devastated when thieves ransacked their storage hut and took four goal nets.

Sedgefield Borough Council has presented the youngsters with new nets so they can carry on with their season.

Coach Doug Grant said he was thrilled by the gesture, which meant he would not have to cancel matches arranged for this Saturday.

He said: "I cannot thank the council enough. It has put a smile back on the kids' faces. At the end of the day, these people do not seem to realise that it is the children who suffer. I hope whoever stole the nets feels extremely guilty.''

Council leader Brian Stephens said he wanted to do something after reading of the youngsters' plight in The Northern Echo.

He said: "It is deplorable that somebody can come up here and take the kids' nets. Too many youngsters do not take the opportunity to participate in sport and we commend the work that Doug and the other trustees do.''

Coun Stephens presented the nets to the children, accompanied by the council's cabinet member for culture, sport and recreation, Councillor Terry Ward, and head of leisure services Phil Ball. They toured changing facilities at the Scout Field venue and vowed to work with the trustees of the site to try to improve them.

Mr Ball said: "We will try to continue to work with Doug Grant and the trustees here to try to seek some improvements to the facilities, especially the changing accommodation."