FOOTBALL-MAD youngsters have used the sport as their inspiration for a mural.

The artwork, displayed on the gable end wall of flats, in the Corporation Road area of Sunderland, is one of three produced by local youngsters.

They worked with Commercial Road Youth and Community Project, community artist Judith Britton and Sunderland Housing Group on the project, also creating a mural featuring a day in the life of a young person.

The third mural was produced by children from a local creche.

Aimed at dissuading youngsters from spoiling the area with graffiti, the project involved those who were excluded, self-excluded, or at risk of becoming excluded from mainstream education.

To celebrate its completion, Sunderland footballers Bernt Haas and David Bellion arrived to view the youngsters' handiwork.

Jason Wright, one of those involved, said: "I feel really proud to have been involved in this. It is really great to see the murals finished and hung up on the walls."