Footballers moved to tears by Parkinson's contest

Paul Nicholls was part of the England Parkinson's Walking Football team that travelled to Florida

People living with Parkinson's were moved to tears by the positive impact of a walking football tournament.

Footballers affected by the cognitive disease played in the US state of Florida on Sunday.

Among them was Paul Nicholls, from Clacton-on-Sea, Essex, who said the opportunity was "beyond my wildest dreams".

He added: "We try and give people hope that they can have a life after being diagnosed."

Mr Nicholls discovered walking football two years ago and was inspired to raise awareness about the impact it had on his mental wellbeing.

Research showed 2.5 hours of physical activity a week can help people with the disease take control of their condition, Parkinson's UK said.

Mr Nicholls has spent two years raising awareness about how sports helps people living with Parkinson's

"The feeling I got, of feeling normal, while I was playing was incredible," Mr Nicholls told BBC Essex Sport Extra.

"There are people stuck in a dark corner being crushed by the weight of Parkinson's. People shut themselves away and think that's the end.

"We're trying to encourage people to get out of the house and feel better... To give people hope."

'People were in tears'

Despite a tropical storm raining down before kick-off, the tournament in Tampa proved to be a huge success.

It was competed by teams from the US, Colombia and England - who were crowned the winners.

Mr Nicholls said prior to the contest, one player had not left their house for three years following their diagnosis.

"People were in tears after they finished playing because they were thinking 'I do have a life after all'," he added.

"Yes it is an awful disease, but we can try and slow it down."