THE next generation of Saints fans are to get a sneak preview of the club's new stadium - and improve their schoolwork at the same time.

Up to 7,000 pupils in the city will be given special tours of the £32m Friends Provident St Mary's Stadium.

The visits will help to improve their maths and history.

The tours have been arranged by Katie Hamilton, manager of the Saints Visitor Centre, who has also put together education packs to help the children learn about the new ground and the club.

"It's really to encourage children to come down here and look at the development of the new stadium and learn at the same time."

Invitations have been sent to primary and secondary schools in Southampton, and the tours will take place up to the opening of the new stadium next summer.

Miss Hamilton added: "We have had a really good response so far.

"For the children it's an out-of-school activity that they will be interested in going on and they will be learning something at the same time."

The packs are tailored to different age groups and are approved by education authorities including Hampshire County Council.

Miss Hamilton said: "For history, there's information on what was on the stadium site before, dating all the way back to Saxon times.

"For maths, the packs look at how much the club have spent on the new stadium, how much they get from sponsorship, how far the players travel to away games and stuff like that.

"It's a one-off opportunity for them to come and see the progress of the new stadium, and is a link between us and the schools in the local community."