TURF Moor may be well known as the home of footballing legends but from Monday it will have a new role -- as an after-school learning centre.

The new resource, which will be based in the club's media room, will be available to pupils from 23 primary and five secondary schools in the region with the target of improving literacy, numeracy and IT skills.

Yesterday Clarets star Paul Weller was on hand to present prizes to the two children who came up with the best names for the scheme.

Dean Burns, from Towneley School suggested "Bertie and Bumble's Bionic After School Club" while Humeira Bibi, from Stonyholme Community School, came up with "Burnley Clarets for Success".

Centre manager Jenny Doran explained: "We are starting taster courses next week and then from the autumn we will be providing access to pupils for 16 hours a week, Monday to Thursday."

The aim is to create a positive environment for learning, using the name of Burnley Football Club to both excite and stimulate the children.

"This type of scheme has been done with great success at other clubs like Everton and Liverpool and the response from the children has already been brilliant," Jenny enthused.

"I have been around the schools trying to find out what the children want to study and how best to do it. Just being able to tell them they are coming to Turf Moor really excites them, even though they know they are coming to learn, not to play football."

The scheme is funded by the Department for Education and Science and Lancashire County Council with the club adding its name and building.

Working alongside administrator Mildred Pearson and a number of learning mentors, it is hoped that the centre will provide a valuable boost to children's learning.