A regional daily newspaper has relaunched a campaign to give talented local footballers the opportunity to play for their local club.

The Grimsby Telegraph first launched Trawling The Town in March with the aim of unearthing the area’s brightest footballing talents.

Youngsters were encouraged to fill in a form on the newspaper’s website to be in with a chance of being selected to play for Grimsby Town Football Club’s School of Excellence sides.

The campaign was relaunched as part of Local Newspaper Week based on its original success which saw more than 70 youngsters try out.

Editor of the Telegraph Michelle Lalor said: “As part of our role as a community newspaper we believe we should do everything possible to support the development of the area’s young people and sport and football can play a crucial role in that.

“We would love to see someone discovered in this campaign featuring on our back page in years to come.”

From the last set of Trawling The Town sessions, the club has successfully engaged 76 young footballers, with more than half receiving a total of seven hours’ contact time with professional coaches.

Next month, professional coaches from the club’s School Of Excellence will hold a week’s worth of open trials at Oasis Academy Wintringham to give more young players a chance to earn their place in teams at the club’s School Of Excellence.

Former player Dave Moore, who himself came through the youth system before making his debut in 1978, said: “I think the campaign is a great idea; it is giving local youngsters a fantastic opportunity.”