Southend United players Steve Mildenhall and Kevin Betsy paid a visit to Darlinghurst Primary and Nursery School, in Leigh, to champion reading skills..

They met teaching assistant Karen Jones as part of the day organised by the school for her higher level training as a teaching assistant.

Mrs Jones, 48, from Shoebury, said: “Steve and Kevin were extremely encouraging and impressed upon the children the importance of reading and education.

“The children really seemed to take this on board.

“They were all star-struck and the lads signed many autographs. It was a very successful event.”