Portland United manaer Nick Preston has hailed the island's first ever Youth Soccer Festival a "massive success".

The event, held in association with Weymouth and Portland Borough Council, attracted more than 70 youngsters to Grove Corner last weekend.

Boys and girls aged between six and 16 received coaching from a host of Blues stars including skipper Darren Whyton, Andy Turrell, Micky Greeno and Pete Turrell.

The one-to-one sessions were followed by skills tests, a mini World Cup tournament and a special festival barbecue.

A delighted Preston said: "The festival came about because it was felt that there isn't enough organised training available for kids on the island. There had been a few complaints about balls being kicked around the streets and so we decided to do something about it.

"The response we had was absolutely unbelievable and it was a real pleasure for us at Portland United to host such a successful and worthwhile event."

The festival was organised by the borough's community development officer Rachel Barton and plans are now afoot to repeat the exercise next year.

"It was a wonderful day out", she explained, "and I'd like to say a big thank you to Nick Preston and everyone at Portland United Football Club for their help and hospitality.

"Everything was perfect, including the weather, and we will definitely be holding another Soccer Festival next summer."