TWO Bolton Wanderers players and boxer Amir Khan visited Smithills School as part of a campaign to kick racism out of the community.

Year eight pupils at Smithills High School designed posters as part of a two-month citizenship project called, Give Racism the Red Card.

Amir and Bolton Wanderers' players Ricardo Gardner and Ricardo Vaz Te signed autographs on Thursday afternoon and watched a video presentation about racism in football.

Debbie Gibson, curriculum director of citizenship and religious education, said: "The aim of the project was to kick racism out football, the school and the community.

"It's a zero tolerance message and it has come from the children themselves. That's why we are really proud of them, because we are a multi-cultural school."

The winning finalist was Chelsy Taylor, aged 13, who said she was happy to be entered into the national Give Racism the Red Card competition.

She came top out of 35 year eight finalists, who were chosen from 350 pupils altogether.

Gardner, the 26-year-old Bolton Wanderers' left back, said: "Initiatives like this at Smithills School are very important and raise awareness for the kick racism out of football campaign.

"I am delighted that the school is taking up such a great initiative and using football to support the cause. The school and Bolton are part of a multi-cultural society and it's important that we get that message across."

After the presentation, the sports stars signed autographs and talked to the pupils.

Kick Racism Out of Football was established in 1993 and works throughout the football, educational and community sectors to challenge racism and work for positive change.

The campaign is supported and funded by the game's governing bodies, including founding body the Professional Footballers Association (PFA), the FA Premier League, the Football Foundation and The Football Association.

For more information visit www.kickitout.org .