A MAYOR has rolled out the red carpet for a medal-winning football squad.

Coun Arthur Dobson, mayor of Redcar and Cleveland, cheered an eight man team for winning a bronze medal at the European Special Olympic Games in Gronigen, Holland.

The players are users of social service day centres in East Cleveland.

The footballers played a total of 12 games to win the bronze. They were joined in the mayor's parlour by Sarah Longden from Skelton and Ian Allen who respectively won silver medals for the soft ball throw and 15k road race.

Keith Wilcox, manager of the Skelton Skills Centre, said: "It's been a terrific competition. We're proud of everyone."