Youngsters from the Dartmouth area have been getting a real kick out of the latest sports initiative – a 'federation' football league.

The soccer challenge involves the six primary schools in the Dartmouth area – the federated Stoke Fleming, East Allington, Blackawton and Kingswear schools, along with St John's and the Dartmouth Academy.

It is the first time a league of this kind has been run across the learning community and the games have been generating interest across the schools and the wider community.

The league has been running since October half term and is set to culminate in finals day at Dartmouth Football Club's ground in February, where the last round of fixtures will be played.

Matches have gone ahead despite extremely wet and freezing conditions.

Jack Pemberton, who is PE co-ordinator at Stoke Fleming school and was instrumental in organising and running the league, said thank you to all the parents and other adults who have helped out transporting the youngsters to and from the matches.

To the youngsters he said: 'Keep up the great teamwork, best of luck.'