HOURS spent on motorways travelling to matches has proved worthwhile for young badminton players.

Pupils from the Wensleydale School, in Leyburn, who travelled hundreds of miles to compete in the Yorkshire Championships are now celebrating several impressive successes.

Both the under-15 and under-13 mixed teams won their finals and all other years are still in the last stages of the competition.

Two players, Wilf Dinsdale and Christina Scarr, who are both 15, were also crowned individual champions.

Lee Wasden, head of PE, praised staff and players who had travelled to cities including Sheffield and Bradford to compete.

"It's a superb achievement," he said. "There's a lot of clubs coaching the young players in the dale.

"All we do is build on this work and reap the rewards by taking them to competitions."

The school is also celebrating the success of the under-15 girls hockey team which won the Hambleton and Richmondshire area rally at Queen Mary's School, Thirsk.

"Teams from nine secondary schools across Richmondshire and Hambleton took part and this was a tremendous achievement," said Mr Wasden.