Nearly 200 of the town's most talented young footballers have been put through their paces during a three-day Hartlepool United Development Course at Manor College this week.

Children from 5 to 8 years old were selected by the various schools in the town to take part in the unique event, during which they were coached by the Club's Centre of Excellence staff.

Half term week was targeted by Pools as a chance to offer their services to the town's promising footballers, with specialist coaching and training drills undertaken from Monday to Wednesday.

The event was totally free to those who took part and went down extremely well with both the children and their parents.

Graham Newcombe explained that the Course had certainly been a huge hit with his seven-year-old son Noah.

"He's been keen to get back every morning because he's really enjoyed it, as they all are which you can tell by the smiles on their faces," Graham commented.

"We've not been able to stop him talking about it at home; and for him to get this level of coaching is brilliant so it's great of the Club to put this on."

Steven Green, father of talented six-year-old Kieron, was another interested spectator at the event and hoped the extra coaching would bring the best of his son.

"Kieron's good to watch, I just think he needs to pass it a bit more which I'm told will come with time!" he laughed.

"He's absolutely loved it though and it's a shame for it to come to an end really; I've been really proud for him to be picked for something like this."

Chief Executive Russ Green surprised children on the last day of the course when he went along to present a free ticket for the Huddersfield game to everyone who had attended.