A girls football team is continuing to grow - with a little help from their friends.

Cockermouth Junior Football Club Under-8s girls team are all kitted out in a new strip thanks to Cumbria Waste Group.

The team, who play in the West Cumbria Girls Youth League, was only formed at the very end of last season with just six players and has now doubled in size with 12 youngsters training.

Mike Blair, who works for Cumbria Waste Group, in Distington, appealed to his company to help the girls out, with his own daughter Evie playing for the team.

He said: “There has been a boom in the number of girls wanting to play junior football in Cockermouth over the last 12 months, so much so that we now have four teams.

“Like any junior football club, it costs money to hire pitches, buy equipment, football trips and run training sessions, so any help we can receive is gratefully received.

“I was delighted when my own employer agreed to pay for the strips the girls wear and on behalf of everyone at the club, we would like to thank Cumbria Waste Group for their support.”

Mike Bareham, managing director of Cumbria Waste Group, said: “We operate across Cumbria and always strive, where possible, to help local communities.

“This is an excellent example and we are pleased to have been able to support local grassroots football in Cumbria and a club which is doing great work in promoting football to girls.”