CLARETS ace Danny Ings has launched his new disability project – which should give youngsters across Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale a chance to shine.

And students from Ridgewood School in Burnley, selected for the initiative’s launch, have an opportunity to see if the star striker’s skills rubbed off on them today.

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The youngsters are playing in a tournament in Preston and can use some of the skills they picked up as part of the Burnley FC in the Community (BFCC) backed scheme.

Danny said: “If I can inspire these kids and give them more confidence then that would mean the world to me.

“I’m not sure how much my coaching might help – it’s usually the gaffer who’s telling me what to do – but to see the children having a good time is great.”

He was inspired to launch the scheme after several meetings with Joseph Skinner, who attends Blessed Trinity. He was famously pictured handing his boots to Joseph after the last game of the Championship season.

The Ridgewood students, who have a range of developmental and physical difficulties, took part in a series of skills-boosting exercises with Danny and BFCC coaches, before they had a short kickabout yesterday ((TUES)).

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Ashton Musgrove, 16, of Kibble Bank, Burnley, said: “It was fantastic – Danny is such a good player and it’s really hard to get the ball off him.”

And Mohammed Hamza, 15, of Albert Street, looking forward to the school’s own tournament today, added: “I think we might win with Danny’s help.”

Head teacher Fran Entwistle said: “What is really important is that this will perhaps give them the confidence perhaps to join a disability sports club, or take part in activities after school.

“This has been wonderful because so many of the students are huge Clarets fans and love Danny Ings, so it’s been an inspiration for everyone here.

“And we’ve got our own tournament, against other special schools in Preston, so this is great preparation for us. The children have been looking forward to this ever since they found out Danny was coming.”

Plans are in place to bring the coaching sessions to The Rose and Holly Grove schools, also in Burnley, Pendle View Primary and Pendle Community High, Tor View at Haslingden and Cribden House in Rawtenstall.