YOUNG athletes from Darlington have excelled at a major competition.

The girls' team from Queen Elizabeth Sixth Form College competed in the regional English Schools' Cross Country contest in Durham and won a place in the national finals, to be held in Cumbria.

The team comprised Nicola James, Sarah James, Katherine James, Lynsey Carveth and Julia Orr.

The boys' team of Stephen Turnbull, Adam Gibson, Neil Robinson and Lewis Moses also did well, but just missed qualifying for the finals.

In the individual competition, Queen Elizabeth college runners took first place in both the boys' and girls' senior events, with Lewis Moses and Julia Orr taking the honours.

The college's head of PE, Julia Atkinson, said: "Julia and Lewis were outstanding and I expect that when they compete in the national finals they will do very well.

"County Durham has not had a strong record for senior girls' cross country in the past and to have a team of girls from the college competing at this level is a breakthrough. Again, I expect them to do well."