SCHOOL pupils are now having their first ever lessons in shooting and fencing after receiving a £3,000 grant to help them take up pentathlon training.

The Teesdale School pupils now have hopes of competing in professional sporting events by taking part in the weekly after-school club which sees being tutored by modern pentathlon coach, John Richardson.

The project was funded by Durham Sport and supported by The Modern Pentathlon Association of Great Britain, after the success of the school's recent Biathlon competition.

The 16 club members are all in Years Nine to 11 but the school is also aiming to set up an exclusive Year Seven club in the near future.

Head of PE Jean Brennan, who successfully applied for the grant, said the club would help the young members in future competitions in less mainstream sporting events.

“By giving our students the chance to try out these more unconventional sports within school, it provides them with an opportunity most wouldn't have,” he said.

“Four of our members already have horses, so they're well on their way to competing in events such as biathlons and pentathlons in the future.”

Mr Richardson also runs a swimming club alongside the project to help train pupils in the five sports of horse riding, swimming, running, shooting and fencing.

Year Nine pupil Sam Nixon said the club offered “something different from other sports you can do. It helps you get fitter, and it's a cool thing to say you've been practising".