Budding bookworms who were given a literacy boost thanks to Sheffield United have enjoyed a unique insight into the workings of the Town Hall.

More than 25 pupils from seven Sheffield primary schools met with the Lord Mayor Cllr Alan Law after taking part in United's Best Book Forward Initiative.

Youngsters received certificates of achievement and a book token gift at the Town Hall after completing the reading programme, where they are mentored by staff from the Blades and corporate partner's PriceWaterhouseCoopers.

Best Book Forward is managed by the Blades' community programme - The United Initiative - and is funded by a grant from the Football League Trust.

Mark Todd is United Initiative's community development manager who accompanied the group.

He said: "The visit to the Town Hall was a fantastic opportunity for the pupils who have worked really hard and made good progress. We are delighted that the project has been so well received by schools and that we can support such a vital area of education."

The scheme provides adult mentors to support primary school pupils with their reading, with staff taking time out from their work schedules for ten weeks to get involved.

Primary schools involved this year were St. Theresa's, St Catherine's, Stradbroke, Mundella, Arbourthorne, Meersbrook Bank and Hucklow.

Thomas, a pupil from Stradbroke, added: "I was really happy to shake hands with the Lord Mayor. He was nice and friendly and not like I had expected. I felt really proud receiving my certificate and being at the Town Hall made me feel important."

The United Initiative has enhanced the Blades' programme of activity with community groups around Sheffield since becoming a charity in March last year. It uses sport, but particularly football, and healthy living as a tool to reach out to people of all ages.

* More than 25 pupils from seven Sheffield primary schools met with the Lord Mayor Cllr Alan Law after taking part in United's Best Book Forward Initiative.