FAIRFORD and Lechlade Youth Football Club has received a £2,000 grant from Cotswold District Councillors.

Ray Theodoulou, Sue Coakley, Stephen Andrews and Andrew Doherty awarded the grant to support the clubs annual Belgium project.

For the past 36 years, young footballers from KSK Wavria in Mechelen, Belgium and youngsters from Fairford, Lechlade and surrounding villages have been visiting each other on alternate years.

This year it was the turn of the Belgians to visit the UK.

Around 60 Belgian parents and players arrived on Good Friday and enjoyed British hospitality with the adults staying at the New Inn in Lechlade and the children being hosted by local families.

A packed weekend of activities was planned including a Futsal tournament followed by 10-pin bowling in Swindon on Easter Saturday.

Joe Cusack, Chair of the Fairford & Lechlade Youth Football said: "This CDC grant has enabled us to provide more activities for our Belgian visitors.

"Everyone really enjoyed the 10-pin bowling, which we have never been able to do before."

The main feature of the weekend was the football tournaments played at Fairford Town Football Club on Easter Sunday with awards presented by CDC Councillor Ray Theodoulou.

He added: "CDC is delighted to support this venture for our young footballers here and in Belgium."

Organiser Jason New said: "It’s a lot of hard work putting together a fun programme of events, but everyone has a great time and this year it has been easier with the extra funding we received."

If any local girls or boys are interested in joining the Fairford & Lechlade Youth Football Club, contact Joe Cusack on jpfcusack@aol.co.uk.