A FOOTBALL club is holding its first children's university this week.

Until Friday, the Newcastle United Learning Centre, and the adjacent Platinum Club, at St James' Park, are hosting the university, which involves 210 children from Newcastle schools and 40 staff.

The project - run with the help of Newcastle Education Directorate, the University of the First Age and the Government - aims to develop learning skills using technology.

Newcastle United has been able to run the project thanks to support from Barclaycard, which presented a £25,000 cheque to the club last season to support its community schemes.

One of the areas to benefit was the learning centre, which used its £10,000 share of the award to buy a computer server to host a new system which identifies pupils' strengths and weaknesses and then matches them to a range of activities.

Newcastle United chairman Freddy Shepherd said: "We are very grateful to Barclaycard for their assistance in funding the server. I am also delighted that the interaction between the football club and the community continues to be absolutely first class.

"Our work with, and support of the region's youth has never wavered and we are immensely proud to be able to strengthen our commitment in this area.