A girls’ youth football team were able to buy new kits – after receiving a donation from Line of Duty star Martin Compston.

The Scots actor, 36, donated £100 to the Gleniffer Thistle girls’ teams in Paisley, Renfrewshire, and pledged to help them reach their target for new training gear.

Delighted coach Paula Craig-Perratt, 36, said she was stunned when Compston responded to her tweet asking the star to share her team’s fundraising page.

And now more than £1,500 has been raised for the youth team – smashing their £800 target, thanks to help from the footy fan, who is from Greenock, Inverclyde.

Paula tweeted the actor: “I'm a volunteer coach with a small grassroots girls football club based in Paisley.

“I'm trying to raise cash to buy training kit for our youngest girls. Can you help by sharing our GoFundMe?"

Celtic fan Compston replied: "Hey Paula £100 sent over hopefully plenty folk on Twitter's sphere jump on this, come back to me in a couple of weeks if not reached the target we’ll make sure you get there.

“All best to you and the girls."

Coach Paula said she will now be able to buy new kits for the 35 girls in the under nine, under 11 and under 13 football teams, as well as rainwater jackets for the subs.

Paula, a local government officer, said: “Martin’s a massive Celtic supporter and it wasn’t missed on us that we’re Paisley girls asking a Greenock guy for money - it’s quite unusual.

“He shared it and donated and we reached our target within a few hours, it was huge.

“I was so emotional.

“Normally we get around £1,500 from race nights and other events but we can’t do that just now with Covid.

“The target is £800 but has reached £1,500 which is incredible.

“All of the money will purchase the kits and we’ll also be able to buy rainwear jackets for substitutes.

“There might be some left over for social gatherings when we can do those again.

“It’ll do a lot for our girls.

“I’m kind of overwhelmed by it all, people have been so generous.”

Anyone who wishes to donate to the fundraiser should visit https://www.gofundme.com/f/gleniffer-girls-training-kit