Wigan Warriors rugby league star Iafeta Paleaaesina has praised Westhoughton youngsters for their dedication to the game.

Paleaaesina presented 14 Westhoughton High School pupils with rugby league leaders' certificates following a training and coaching course.

The students, aged 15, completed the Warriors' community development programme to gain their awards. The Year 10 boys trained before organising a rugby festival for more than 90 primary school pupils in Westhoughton.

Paleaaesina said: "I am delighted to have the opportunity to meet these young people and reward them for their dedication and effort which they have shown over the past couple of months.

"Without young leaders like these, the opportunities to start playing the sport simply would not exist"