A LOCAL beat officer has started a football team at the request of young people in his neighbourhood.

PC Ian Ellis, of the South Ruislip Safer Neighbourhood Team, has been working with youngsters to get them off the streets and has now managed to secure a pitch and a kit for the team.

Having started off with five team members, he now has 30 taking part in his project.

The youngsters themselves came up with the idea of setting up a football team and PC Ellis thought it would be a good idea to keep them out of trouble.

He said: "A lot of the kids were saying they had nothing to do in South Ruislip and that's why they were hanging around the streets.

"With football being the main activity they were all interested in I approached Goals Football Centre, in Victoria Road, and the manager agreed to give us a free pitch every Friday.

"We have to get the kids to have signed permission so they can come along and we make sure they have no health problems.

"They have been spreading the word to their mates and the numbers have been growing, which is great."

Councillor Allan Kauffman has been involved with PC Ellis in setting up the team.

He said: "This is a perfect example of community work. The police and Hillingdon Council want to make a difference in the area and helping kids who would cause trouble if they had nothing to do is a great idea.

"What people need to be aware of is that if they want to get involved in something like this, all you need to do is contact the council.

"Funding is available for youth groups and we are more than happy to help."

To get more information on funding call the council on 01895 277 759.