A PIONEERING new football project will kick off this week in Glasgow.

Children from a Catholic school and a non-denominational school in the South Side will come together for a six-week scheme aimed at tackling sectarianism.

Primary 7 Pupils from Tinto Primary in Newlands and St Conval's Primary in Pollokshaws will meet up for the first time on Wednesday.

Staff from children's charity Aberlour, which has a base in Govan, have worked with local Councillor Josephine Docherty to recruit coaches from both Celtic and Rangers to take part in the project.

Aberlour's young people's and anti-sectarianism worker David Kelly, said: "The aim is get the children to work together and see that there is no difference between them.

"If they understand that coaches from Celtic and Rangers work together, then they see that they should be no different."

As part of the project half of the pupils from each school will take part in football training session with the coaches while the remaining group will take part in a workshop tackling sectarianism and online abuse.

It comes after months of campaigning by local parents to have the pitch facility at the newly built Tinto Primary opened up to children from the community.

Newlands and Auldburn councillor Mr Docherty, said: "It has taken a lot of work to have this pitch available to local kids, this is a breakthrough."

There are plans to extend the project in Glasgow if funding can be found.

linzi.watson@ eveningtimes.co.uk