JOHN CRUDDAS, MP for Dagenham, entered the World Cup spirit recently by attending a Leyton Orient Borough Youth League event held at Dagenham Goals.

On show were over 90 young people from across the borough, displaying in abundance their footballing skills, passion and enthusiasm for the game.

The League is run every Friday night over the year and is aimed at young people aged 16-19. It is organised by Leyton Orient Community Sports Programme which offers a comprehensive sports and education package across the borough and is funded by Barking and Dagenham Youth Service and Positive Futures - a Home Office project aimed at improving the lives of young people at risk.

After a pulsating display the final was eventually won by a team from Rush Green.

Mr Cruddas remarked: "It is a great honour to see so many young people showing such enthusiasm and getting involved and presenting a positive image of themselves and the borough. I would like to thank all of the partners involved including Leyton Orient, Dagenham Goals, the Youth Service and Positive Futures for combining to offer this opportunity and look forward to it continuing in the future.

Neil Taylor, Chief Executive of LOCSP said "It is excellent that John was here to see first hand the great work that is being done with young people in the borough. We are really pleased with the numbers that attend, which gives us the opporuntiy to engage and help them fulfil their potential."

For further information about the League and LOCSP's wider work in the borough please contact LOCSP on 020 8556 5973.