A SOCCER-mad schoolboy has presented a plaque to the Education Secretary to mark a learning centre's achievement.

Shaun McClelland, ten, was invited to attend an awards ceremony at London's Shaw Park Plaza Hotel, after Middlesbrough Football Club's Study Support Centre was recognised as being among the best out-of- school education facilities in the country.

The Pallister Park Primary School pupil, who was accompanied on the trip by his father Ian, presented a braille plaque from the centre to David Blunkett, the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, as a thank you for the tribute.

Set up in response to a Government initiative to improve numeracy and literacy through football, the centre has enjoyed a large measure of success in its 18 months of operation.

It has attracted more than 600 children from 23 east Middlesbrough schools, who have voluntarily attended lessons at the BT Cellnet Riverside Stadium.

Included in the sessions on offer are special family learning groups,

They are designed to encourage boys to learn with fathers who may not have taken much interest at school.

Mr McClelland has regularly attended them with Shaun and his 14-year-old brother Lee.

Shaun and his father were joined at the awards ceremony, which recognised the best Playing for Success centres, by children and parents from throughout the country.

Rob Gill, the Study Support Centre manager, said: "Mr McClelland and his sons have been shining lights in this very successful initiative and they are perfect ambassadors for our scheme."