Budding Bristol City players took part in a special football tournament to mark their involvement with the club's junior academy.

About 70 youngsters, all aged between six and 12, have been a part of the club's junior academy since it began in 2007, and were invited to show off their skills at the club's training ground at Failand yesterday.

Playing where City's first-team stars usually hone their skills, the young footballers split into different age groups to practise their skills and techniques, before playing 11-a-side, eight-a-side or six-a-side round-robin tournaments, depending on their age.

The youngsters also wore different coloured T-shirts to bring an international feel to the festival, which they got to keep as a memento of the first-ever Bristol City Junior Academy festival.

Pete Coleman, the club's education and welfare officer, said: "The tournament was a way of saying thank you to the youngsters who have been with us since the start of junior academy in 2007.

"We have really enjoyed working with all our children, and hope they enjoyed the chance to put their coaching into practice on the first-team training ground.

"Now, through our Junior Academy Plus club, an exclusive club for junior academy players, we hope they will grow up to become keen supporters of the football club as well."

Bristol City's Junior Academy was thought to be the first of its kind when it was launched three years ago.

It offers professional coaching and healthy lifestyle advice to children from age six upwards, with the very best youngsters being offered a place in the club's football academy. The Junior Academy now has more than 800 youngsters on its books. The academy helps develop them as players through learning new skills and playing small-sided games, as well as teaching them how to maintain a healthy lifestyle.

The Junior Academy Plus club enters its members into a draw for match tickets and receiving free entry into reserve games, as well as other club events.