A FOOTBALL festival is taking place to encourage young female players and give them the opportunity to play competitively.

The Three Lions Girls World Cup Festival is being played out at venues across the Tees Valley.

And participating are 600 girls from more than 50 schools taking part.

It is aimed at girls under ten and has been organised by Tees Valley Sport in partnership with Hartlepool, Stockton, Middlesbrough and Redcar and Cleveland councils

Jean Lordon, executive director of Tees Valley Sport said: "These are really exciting events.

"Girls football is the fastest growing and biggest female sport in England

"The aim of the girls football festivals is to publicise local football clubs and encourage more girls to play football at an early age.

"It also strengthen links between clubs and schools so that more youngsters can enjoy and benefit from participating in the game"

Festival organiser Paul Kreczak, said: "The idea of the festivals is to give the girls a chance to play football in a competitive but fun environment."

He added: "It will also have educational benefits for the youngsters. All schools taking part will adopt a country playing in this summer's World Cup.

"The youngsters will learn about the geography, culture and traditions of the country they have adopted.

"Each school will play in their country's colours and will make and display that country's flag"