YOUNGSTERS who gave up their spare time to boost their learning have received a pat on the back from one of their football heroes.

Pupils from Witton Park High School, Blackburn, spent the beginning of the summer holidays brushing up on their maths and other subjects.

And Blackburn Rovers centre half Craig Short turned up to hand out certificates of achievement to the youngsters and congratulate them for their efforts.

Craig is pictured with (front, from left) Neil Bell, Zac Craig, Andrew Haworth, Danielle Tomlinson, Nicholas Shepherd; (middle) Paul Lewis-Loynos, Jimmy Leigh Townes, Craig Short, Andrew Walsh, Karl Taylor; (back) Alfie Jayne Lynch, Salma Mulla, Ava Patel, Joshua Birch.