A SCHOOL football programme has received accreditation from the country's highest professional governing body.

Teesdale Comprehensive, Barnard Castle, received the coveted Football Association's Charter Status in recognition of development and provision of the sport.

In order to qualify for the scheme, the school had to adopt a number of policies.

These included accepting and promoting a code of conduct and offering the sport on the curriculum to both girls and boys.

Teacher and football co-ordinator, Carl Lander, said: "It is a huge honour to be awarded the Charter Standard Status by the FA.

"It is a big slap on the back for the PE department, and staff at the school, who have been working hard to develop all sports, not just football.

"It shows that we are already following best practice and it is a recognition of our leading status as a secondary school."

The school can now expect free equipment packages, a newsletter and tickets to international games as part of the scheme.