A Norfolk company leading the way in sports education has scored a deal with a US group to get American youngsters using football to improve their health.

Premier Education, based in Shropham near Attleborough, is the UK's largest provider of kids' sport and already provides sport and fitness education to hundreds of thousands of children every week.

It has linked up with Alabama Soccer Association to deliver the Stay Healthy Soccer program to hundreds of children in the US, teaching them the basics of physical activity and nutrition.

Premier staff from the UK will be working with staff in Birmingham Alabama to deliver the six-week program for children at four schools initially. Other states are already signing up to the scheme, which is endorsed and supported by US Youth Soccer.

David Batch, chief executive of Premier, said: 'This is a pioneering project which we are delighted to be involved with.

'Health, activity that raises the heart rate, friendships, learning to win and lose, perseverance, teamwork and most of all enjoyment are all important lessons which are the real outcomes of a child participating in high-quality soccer programming.'

The ASA currently has 27,000 members across the state.

Tom Condone, ASA executive director, said: 'We are excited about our partnership with Premier to find creative ways in encouraging our children to be more active. Improved physical activity will help our generation of children live stronger, healthier lives. We thank Premier for supporting these school-based initiatives.'

Premier has begun branching out into India and China in a mission to spread its health education message worldwide.

The company employs more than 1,000 people across the UK from its 30-strong Shropham head-office.