To reinforce its close links with the local community, Tranmere Rovers has launched a brand new initiative to help raise much needed funds for schools and also increase the gates at Prenton Park.

All pupils will have the chance to order tickets for home League games at Prenton Park this season through their school and Tranmere Rovers will pay the school up to £3 for each ticket purchased. Tranmere will give the school £3 for every Adult ticket, £1.50 for every Young Person/Senior Citizen ticket and £1 for every Junior ticket sold.

Schools will be able to promote this initiative as part of 'Every Child Matters' and 'Be Healthy' elements of the agenda by spending the money raised on, for example, active playground equipment, PE resources or sports kits.

To make things a little more interesting the school which sells the most tickets pro rata to the number of pupils will get the chance to play two teams (pupils, teachers or parents) on the pitch at the end of the season, have a training session with one of our qualified coaches and a team photo on the pitch prior to kick off.

Tranmere Rovers will also give every school which sells over 250 tickets before the end of the season a signed shirt to use for further fundraising or perhaps as a prize for an outstanding pupil.

Chairman Lorraine Rogers said: "We are delighted to offer this new and exciting way to further improve our existing close relationship with local schools and the community."

Nigel Long, Headteacher of Church Drive Primary School said: "As a fanatical Tranmere Rovers supporter all my life it's no surprise that I wholeheartedly praise this initiative. I do genuinely feel, however, that this is an excellent pioneering concept. Schools will benefit directly whilst at the same time they will be promoting sport via Wirral's only Football League Club. Let's hope it takes off in a really big way."

Tranmere has written to 150 headteachers of schools on the Wirral to tell them about the scheme and is happy to extend it to schools in Neston, Ellesmere Port and Liverpool.

For further information contact Sue Beedles on 0151 609 3305 or Julie Simons on 0151 609 3327.