Snooker is helping pupils improve their maths and learn to master the green baize.

Stalham and Sheringham high schools are believed to be the only secondary schools in north Norfolk using the Cue Zone Functional Maths programme to help students.

Stewart Richardson, who is working with the maths department on the project at Sheringham High, said: 'Functional Snooker aims to develop and support the English and maths skills of young people while they learn to play the sport.

'I'm still developing my own game and special games for the students using the system in which red balls and coloured balls are all given different values which helps to develop numeracy.

'We are just starting out but the students who've already had a go, love it.'

Lee McMahon, assistant headteacher at Stalham High, added: 'This could be a real game-changer for some students who struggle with numeracy.'

Cue Zone is a World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association initiative which aims to get children playing snooker before and after school and during lunch breaks, as well as during English, maths and sports lessons.

It is designed to encourage boys and girls and to offer an alternative to mainstream sports offered in PE.