YOUNG soccer stars from across the North-East were able to showcase their sporting talents at a competition held in Darlington.

More than 220 youngsters took part in the SoccerSix Tournament, which took place at Longfield School on Saturday.

The competition, organised by Darlington's Football in the Community officer Kevin Stonehouse with support from The Northern Echo, was such a success that it looks set to become an annual event.

Sixteen teams of under-12s and 16 teams of under-14s, some of which had travelled from Newcastle, Sunderland, Hartlepool, South Shields and North Yorkshire, took part and all received a medal.

The finalists from each age group will go on to face each other at Darlington FC's Williamson Motors Stadium in August, though a date has yet to be set.

The overall winners will be invited to The Northern Echo's Local Heroes Awards ceremony being held at Hardwick Hall, in Sedgefield, on November 17, which recognises young sporting talent.

Mr Stonehouse said: "When The Northern Echo approached me about trying to set up a tournament for football clubs across the North-East I first thought it was going to be a daunting task, but the response was fantastic. It was such a good day, and the children enjoyed themselves so much, that I see this becoming an annual event that will just keep getting bigger and better."

* For full reports and pictures don't miss Friday's Local Heroes supplement.