A BOYS' football team has received a helping hand from bobbies in south Trafford.

Sale Moor Villa has received a cheque for £750 to help boost its community project, which aims to give youngsters in the area a chance to get involved in sport.

And crime tacklers based in the area say they are only too happy to back the drive to move youths away from anti-social behaviour.

Superintendent Graham White from Altrincham police station said: "Sale Moor has been identified as one of our policing priority areas in south Trafford and we are delighted to provide some of the funds allocated to community projects like this.

"This is one small but important part of our strategy to combine effective crime prevention measures and pro-active policing because it is vital for the long term success of a community.

"This football team is a perfect example of that co-operation and anything which helps build a better community whilst reducing crime or disorder has my full support."

Louise Chicot is the manager for the Sale Moor Villa Project and is delighted with the money, which will go towards funding professional coaching throughout the winter for the various teams.

She said: "The aim of the Villa Project is to sustain activities, including these teams, and to give the youths of Sale Moor more outlets to occupy their spare time more meaningfully and to integrate them more with their own communities as well as stopping any being tempted by anti-social behaviour.

"To that end, some of this funding will be used to put some of the older members of the teams through their football coaching certificates so they can then train the younger teams and enhance their chances of employment with extra qualifications - some of which have already been offered part-time and full-time jobs."

Area bobby PC Janine Berrisford agreed that the project can play a vital role and added: "As one of the two area bobbies, I am particularly happy to support the work of the Villa Project - especially in relation to schemes including mentoring.

"If we can create role models from within the community who can then educate and progress others then it has got to be a positive way forward."