A kind hearted franchisee of Drain Doctor Plumbing, Britain's largest emergency plumbing and drainage company, has purchased new kit for his local primary school football team.

Award-winning Middlesbrough Drain Doctor James Stairmand has sponsored the Grange Town Primary school football team, thanks to a plea from his wife Maria. The children, all in year five and year six at the school, were delighted with the new kit.

Maria, who teaches part time at the school, said: "The school is in an area close to the old steel works in Grange Town. It is quite run down and unemployment is high. The reality for the children is quite hard.

"When I realised that the team needed new kit but didn't have a sponsor like the other school teams in the area I persuaded James to help."

The new season for the primary school league is now underway and Grange Town Primary school team has got off to a winning start in their new kit. They have notched up 11 goals so far in 5-6 and 5-0 wins.

Katrina King, PE co-ordinator at Grange Town Primary, said: "I would like to say a big thank you to James and Maria at Drain Doctor. The new kit looks great and the kids are really excited by it. They have all said how proud they are to be playing in it. I've asked them not to get it dirty yet!"

Next year Maria hopes to persuade James to extend his sponsorship to provide a tent or awning for the team to shelter in on the touchline when the weather is bad.

Drain Doctor Plumbing has quickly grown since its launch to become the country's largest emergency plumbing and drain repair service. It now provides a 24 hour a day, 365 days a year service in every part of the country with each franchise - such as the one in Middlesbrough - run as an independent business.

The company provides a genuine 24-hour service with no call-out charge and no extra charges for calls outside of normal working hours. Customers get a fixed price quotation so they know exactly how much they will have to pay before work is started.

James Stairmand's Drain Doctor Plumbing franchise covering Middlesbrough was recently named most progressive new franchise at the national group's annual awards ceremony. In addition, Middlesbrough Drain Doctor technician Steve Richmond was named Golden Service Provider of the Year.

Group founder and chairman Freddie Mitman presented James and his wife,Maria, and Steve Richmond with their trophies at a gala awards night at the Stratford Manor Hotel in Stratford-upon-Avon.