Vasile Calin (right) - a student from Mayfield School speaks at the event

Pupils from the borough’s schools made tackling racism their goal at a special event at Dagenham and Redbridge FC.

More than 120 youngsters aged 10 and 11 visited the team’s home in Victoria Road, Dagenham, on Monday to learn about the impact of racism through leading charity, Show Racism the Red Card.

On the day the pupils, from Cleveland Junior School, Fullwood Primary, Ilford Jewish Primary and John Bramston Primary, got the chance to meet some of the team’s players and learn about how racism can affect people’s everyday lives.

All the students received a tour of the ground and the day culminated with a Question Time style panel that gave students a chance to quiz Redbridge Council leader Cllr Keith Prince, and players Anwar Uddin, the former Daggers captain, Paul Mortimer, Abu Ogogo, Billy Bingham, Oluwafemi Ilesanmi, as well as David Landau, from the Redbridge Equalities and Community Council.

Cllr Prince said: “The issue of racism in football has made many headlines this year and it is as important as it’s ever been that we take the time to ensure the younger generation understand that racism is unacceptable.

“Events like this give us a chance to help deliver that message.”