BURY FC is to offer football coaching to pupils at every one of the borough's 72 schools.

The club hopes to forge closer links with the community and spot talented youngsters to whom they can provide further specialist training and even offer them trials at its Centre of Excellence.

Each week, a different school will be offered free tickets to a home Shakers game.

Plans are also being put in place to contact schools outside the area, such as Deane School in Bolton and St Wilfrid's High School, Blackburn.

The three-year plan is being supported by Bury Council, the club's main sponsor, and fellow sponsors Lords College, an independent school in Bolton.

Mr Ross Johnson, director with special responsibilities for youth football at Bury FC, said: "If we truly want to be a community club, this is the kind of initiative that we need.

"We are delighted to support girls and boys of all abilities, while giving special opportunities to those who are identified to have talent.

"We must focus on improving our standards year on year, and this scheme will build on the good work already undertaken by both the Football in the Community team and staff in the Centre of Excellence."

Councillor John Byrne, leader of Bury Council, added: "Our relationship with Bury FC is not just about supporting the Shakers but about cementing its role in communities up and down the borough.

"The club is to be congratulated on this initiative and I know our schools are raring to get involved."