FINNISH schoolchildren took in the sights of one of the region's premier soccer centres during a trip to Teesside.
The party of youngsters visited Middlesbrough Football Club's Riverside Stadium during a whistle-stop tour of the area.
During the trip, organised by the Willie Maddren Education Centre, the four children and their parents, from the Finnish capital of Helsinki, took in the pitch, dressing rooms and boardroom.
The 12-year-olds were guests of Stockton's Tilery School, which has forged links with several foreign schools through a European partnership scheme.
John Repton, the head-teacher at Tilery, said: "They watch a lot of English Premier League football in Finland and are very keen on our game.
"Many of our pupils have already been around the club and love the place.
"Our guests had a very enjoyable time too.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article