GIRL pupils are on the ball at one Blackpool school -- thanks to a new sports scheme.

A group of 12 Year Seven girls at Montgomery High School, Bispham, have begun an eight-week football programme designed to nurture female football talent and identify future sports stars.

The scheme, which allows beginners and more experienced players to train with FA qualified coaches, was set up by Blackpool Borough Council's leisure development unit, Lancashire Sport, Lancashire Football Association, charitable trust The Wooden Spoon Society and Sport England.

Girls showing promise will be offered the chance to carry on their training with further coaching alongside other talented female players from across Lancashire. The council's community sports development officer Matt Hilton said: "Montgomery School was chosen because of their commitment towards girls' sport but in particular girls' football. The staff there are fully behind the programme.