A six-year-old boy has helped kick off a campaign aimed at making football more accessible in South Africa by donating a pair of his boots.

Noah Ellis, of Shildon, near Bishop Auckland, handed the boots to former Newcastle United striker Les Ferdinand at the launch of the Boots for Africa campaign at the Complete Football Centre in Gosforth.

Noah's mother Jill said: "We were at the Complete Football Centre as part of Newcastle's Football in the Community initiative when we met Les Ferdinand and were told about Boots for Africa.

"To meet Les was terrific and I think we were just as excited to see him as Noah was.

"Boots for Africa seemed a great scheme and Noah was happy to give-up his boots for someone of a similar age in Africa. At Noah's age, kids are out-growing their boots all the time, so it's a terrific opportunity for more youngsters to re-use them.

"I am also in the process of collecting unused boots from Noah's team Bishop Auckland St Mary's juniors, so they can take part in this campaign."

Boots for Africa has been set up by Sheffield FC and is appealing for support from schools and junior football clubs across the North East and Yorkshire.

The appeal will help to develop the skills and fitness of aspiring disadvantaged children, and provide more children with the opportunity to enjoy the game in South Africa.

It is hoped that up to 50,000 pairs can be gathered for the campaign, which will be rolled out nationally next year in the lead up to the World Cup in South Africa in 2010.

The campaign is backed by the English Football Association, FIFA, the African Football Confederation, the South African Sports Trust and the South African High Commission.

For more information visit www.bootsforafrica.org