Cheshire-based business Roberts Bakery has joined forces with Derby County football club to launch a new app aimed at getting youngsters to improve their footballing ability.

The ‘Fuel Your Skills’ app is a joint venture between Derby County Football Club and Roberts Bakery, which has a 12-month sponsorship deal with the Championship club in support of the bakery’s operation.

The app gives children in local communities a way to develop their football skills and understand the importance of food nutrition. They can also win prizes such as VIP match day access to Derby County’s home games. In the app, Derby County player Tom Ince shows off his football skills and challenges viewers to complete them. Those who take on the challenges and share them on the app as a skill video have a chance of winning.

Robert Higginson, chairman of Frank Roberts and Sons, commented: “The aim of the app for Roberts Bakery is to associate nutritious, energy-giving qualities of bread with healthy active lifestyles for young fans and their families as part of the wider partnership with the football club.

Roberts Bakery bakes 1.4 million products a week, employs 130 staff and distributes to supermarkets and independent retailers across the Derbyshire area.

In June, Roberts Bakery sponsored the food halls at the Royal Cheshire County Show, and used the opportunity to present an educational programme.