IF the police are the long arm of the law, community support officers could be its long legs after organising a series of youth football matches.

To help keep 11-16-year-olds out of trouble, Dines Green CSO, James Wood, and Lee Russell on the Warndon beat, set up the first matches between the two estates earlier this month.

"There are future games planned for the summer - or even sooner if possible," said Mr Russell.

The first matches - there were two teams from each area - were played on the all weather pitches at the YMCA on Henwick Road, St John's.

"I would love to set up more games. The kids loved it, and so did the parents who came and watched," said Mr Russell.

He said there was a lot of interest shown by even younger children and an under-10s set of matches could be in the pipeline.

The Warndon teams walked away with an aggregate win from the encounter on Friday, April 1.

"Following the popularity of this event, Lee and I are looking to expand on it during the summer holidays," said Mr Wood.