A youth football club is back on form after being given a helping hand from a housebuilder.

The Queens Hill Panthers Youth Football Club suffered a blow after its training ground was broken into by vandals who trashed the area before taking equipment.

The club meets at Barford Village Hall, Norwich, where its under-nines, 10s and 11s train.

Kier Living Eastern stepped in to give the club a boost by providing them with a new secure unit to store its equipment in, along with £300-worth of merchandise, including mini hard hats, school bags, mini high-vis jackets and stationery.

The Queens Hill Panthers Youth Football Club's situation was highlighted by Daniel Brazier, assistant site manager for St Walstans in Costessey, whose son plays for the youth club.

Paul Bedwell, chairman of the club, said: 'We had been in talks for around 18 months to plan for a new storage container and the logistics of the haulage of it. Then Kier Living Eastern stepped in and after a few weeks they had organised the whole thing.

'It has meant we have been able to get on with ordering extra kit and bigger goals for the older players. We used to be restricted by the size of equipment because we didn't have the storage space but now we can have goals which do not have to be dismantled after every match, which has helped us out a lot.

'It has not just been the donations from Kier Living Eastern that have helped the team but also their generosity in dedicating their time to the team and coming along to our presentation events.'

Nick Moore, managing director, Kier Living Eastern, said: 'When Daniel told us about the team and the help they needed, we were eager to see how we could help.

'It is wonderful to be able to support a thriving youth football team. The secure unit is going to make a big difference to the club and give them the opportunity to store more equipment for their training and football matches.'