SCHOOLCHILDREN celebrated taking part in community football tournament organised by Cheshire Police with a finals day at Crewe Alex's Shavington Soccer Centre.

More than 150 pupils played in the 'The Salt Wars', which was run in partnership with Premier League Kicks and Crewe Alex.

The free event involved football, rounders and rugby saw youngsters aged between 10 and 16 from the South Cheshire area compete at events at Sandbach School, Holmes Chapel Comprehensive School and Middlewich High School.

The winners were announced in a celebratory event at the Alex Soccer Centre last Saturday.

Clayton Parker, 15, from Wimboldsley, was the overall individual winner.

Ella Smart, 12, and Jessica Hulson, 10, from Alsager and Middlewich respectively, finished second and third respectively, while 13-year-old Emily Edgar from Sandbach won the penalty shootout.

All four are to receive a reward during the half-time interval of Crewe Alexandra FC's home League One game against Burton Albion on Saturday 18 September.

The Sandbach area won the Salt Wars Cup.

The initiative was devised to help youngsters stay active and healthy and have fun during the school holidays and to help reduce anti-social behaviour and future offending.

Chief Insp. Rob Dickinson said: "Salt Wars is a free event that our Police Community Support Officers run with support from partner agencies to help children stay active and healthy and have fun.

"Restrictions imposed as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic severely limited the amount of sport that children have been able to play over the past year or so."

The children each received certified coaching, including sessions from Crewe Alex coaches, as well as drinks and lunch.

Police and Crime Commissioner for Cheshire John Dwyer handed out the trophies and he said: "Building a positive relationship between local policing and communities is so important."