Young female football fans in Leicester are proving they can match the boys on the pitch by taking part in a series of training sessions.

The girls signed up to the 'Bend It Like Becks' coaching programme, designed to get more girls interested in becoming soccer stars of the future.

To complete the football themed week Belgrave Library hosted an event with Narinder Dhami, author of the book 'Bend It Like Beckham'. Narinder talked about her experiences of writing and explaining how she works.

Leicester City Council organised the events following the success of the Women's European Football Championships held in Manchester earlier this summer.

Cossington Street Sports Centre manager, Jos Johnson said 'Women's football is the fastest growing sport in the country. Our event will provide the perfect environment for girls of all abilities to develop their skills, and have fun under the guidance of Football Association qualified coaches. Plus of course they get the chance to make new friends who love playing football'.

An eight year old girl who attended said 'I like football. I watch it on television and I like playing it. Girls can play football as well as boys. I've seen Bend It Like Beckham and I want to be like the girl in that'.

A parent whose seven-year-old daughter attended the sessions said "It's great that this has been organised. My daughter enjoys football and she loved Bend It Like Beckham. When she finished watching it, she told me she wanted to be a footballer.