A PREMIERSHIP footballer visited a Darlington children's centre yesterday to raise money for charity.

Middlesbrough's James Morrison attended a sports event at McNay Street Children's Centre, with all proceeds going to the Foundation for the Study of Infant Deaths.

Morrison attended with a friend whose five-year-old son uses the centre.

While signing autographs for children on shirts, hats and scraps of paper, he said: "When I was a kid, I would have thought a Premiership footballer visiting was great."

As well as fundraising, John Pearson, parental engagement officer at the centre, said: "Hopefully, the children will have lots of fun. We try to promote physical development and this is all about that."

Morrison emphasised the importance of starting sport young, adding: "I started off young and I've got a brilliant career. It's giving them an opportunity in life to keep active and healthy."

Older children were able to try their hand at a range of sports on the nearby field, through a project called Zone Active, run by Darlington Borough Council.

The McNay Street Children's Centre offers information, advice and support to families with children under five living in the area. For more information, call 01325-487718 or log on to www.mcnaystreet. childrencentre.org