Collecting football stickers and cards has kept young soccer fans entertained for generations.

Now Albion stars are taking the idea a stage further by helping to warn children off drugs and drinks with an innovative series of collectable cards.

Seagull stars Darren Freeman and Gary Hart formally launched the scheme in Brighton yesterday. The Football in The Community scheme, organised by the club in association with Sussex Police, Brighton and Hove Council, Family Assurance and American Express, has produced 5,000 collectable cards with a picture of a player on one side and a message on the other.

Messages cover drug warnings, bullying, racism and the dangers of talking to strangers.

Darren and Gary visited Middle Street School in Brighton and voted the scheme a success as they spoke to a packed school hall and gave away cards.

Brighton-born Darren said: "It's such a simple idea, but it's a brilliant one. I was pleased to be able to take a couple of hours out of my day to do a little for the community and I think the kids were chuffed."

Gary said: "I think the school asked for Darren and I because the head is a season ticket holder! Everyone had a good time. I think it's a great idea."

Albion's Football in the Community officer Steve Ford, a former Stoke City player, helped put the initiative together.

He said: "We were trying to think of a way to try to educate schoolchildren and this seems to be a good one."

Players will go to Cottesmore St Mary's School, Hove, Whitehawk Primary School, Patcham Junior School and St Margaret's School, Rottingdean, and other schools in the area.

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