Brighton and Hove Albion have been honoured for their work in the community by the Football Association and Minister for Sport Richard Caborn.

A delegation from the club's Study Support Centre went to a ceremony in London to receive the award in recognition of their support of the Government's Heading For Success initiative.

Captain Charlie Oatway, chief executive Martin Perry and Albion's principal of education Alan Sanders received the award on behalf of the club.

Charlie told the audience how the club had helped him overcome his literacy problems.

Afterwards he said: "It came to a stage where I wanted to do something about it and I have done.

"Everyone knows I am confident on the pitch but when it came to situations with books or reading and writing, I am not confident at all. If anything, I kid my way through it.

"It's what a football club is all about. It's not them and us - it's all of us.

"It's not only about supporters of the football club, it's not about just football people, it's for adults everywhere. The more people who come through the doors the more beneficial it is to them and their families."

Charlie said about 1,000 people had used the club's study support. He said: "In this league, there's no doubt we're top of it."