A JUNIOR football club is keeping its players warmer this winter.

BPR Leiria's Under 12s of Runcorn are turning out in new team jackets to help keep out the cold.

This was made possible by the fundraising of parents and supporters of not only the Halton & District Junior League club's U12s but also their U16s side.

Club secretary Julie Cole said: 'We would like to thank parents Gary Smith and John Dace for running - and everyone for supporting - the football predication score game held over a number of weeks. This has enabled the U12s to get the jackets.'

BPR Lieiria, formerly Bridge Park Rangers, were renamed after Halton's Portuguese twin town.

The players wanted their identity to have more of a continental flavour.

Leiria is in central Portugal and its 30,000-capacity football stadium was a venue for the 2004 UEFA European Football Championship.