FUN with a purpose was offered to 30 children from five schools in Leyton during half term.

The day-long event at Leyton Orient's Brisbane Road ground was organised by the education team at the club's community sports programme (CSP) and involved youngsters from Barclay, Church Mead, Dawlish, Newport and George Mitchell schools.

Those taking part spent the previous six weeks attending the Playing for Success study support programme at their schools and in the special IT suite at the football ground.

They will continue their education programme for another five weeks after half term by focusing on developing their literacy, numeracy and IT skills.

In the morning, the children completed literacy and numeracy activities around the stadium, including measuring the pitch and estimating the capacity of each stand before visiting the changing rooms.

They were then introduced to children's author Jackie Murhall who talked about the writing process, signed copies of her books for the children and read from her latest book, Roman Around, from the St Misbehaviour's series.

The children then received book boxes and selected free reading books provided by the Reading Is Fundamental organisation, part of the National Literacy Trust.

After lunch, the children went to Drapers Field for a football tournament organised by the CSP's Sabir Bham with 20 children from Leytonstone schools Cann Hall, Tom Hood, Davies and Mayville who have also been attending after-school clubs.

This second group also received book boxes and ended the tournament by selecting free reading books.

Ms Murhall said: "It was a real surprise to see the extent of the education programme. The children really seemed to enjoy the morning's activities in the football ground."