A STRUGGLING North-East football club has been given top level training to improve its fortunes.

County Durham side Murton FC has been given the sort of expert coaching clubs such as Manchester United and Barcelona have used, as part of BBC's new programme, Dream Lives.

The show, presented by Sophie Raworth, was screened for the first time last night, and aims to change the fortunes of communities, using science and technology.

Morc Coulson, of Durham, training director of Leicester firm SAQ, was brought in to improve the club's training regime.

The club finished second bottom of the Albany Northern League last season, but so far this season has won five of its 13 games.

Mr Coulson said: "We produce a lot of equipment designed specifically for the training of footballers.

"I taught the coach how to use the kit and designed some programmes for them. They have started winning again.''

The players were also provided with dietary advice and high-tech boots.

The club attracted publicity after a crater appeared in the middle of its pitch, floodlights were damaged and a stand burned down.

The BBC crew filmed at Murton over 12 weeks. The next two programmes on Murton will be screened on Wednesdays at 7pm on BBC1