CHILDREN were encouraged to swap cigarettes for sport in an anti-smoking event at a football club

Middlesbrough Football Club has teamed up with Teesside Health Action Zone to organise four football tournament days at the Cellnet Stadium, of which yesterday's was the first.

About 500 ten and 11 year-olds from 13 schools in Grangetown, Eston, South Bank and Normanby have been invited to take part during the coming weeks.

Among the activities on offer are an anti-smoking quiz in the form of The Weakest Link, a range of anti-smoking games, anti-smoking limericks, dance and rap and an anti-smoking drama.

They will be followed by football tournaments concentrating on teamwork and co-operation, with the winning team receiving a Boro goody bag.

Every child who attends the events will be presented with a Kick the Habit with Football T-shirt.