SCORES of young footballers from across County Durham took part in a competition aiming to raise their aspirations yesterday.

More than 130 children, aged ten to 16, gathered at Oakies Fields, Tanfield, near Stanley, for the Positive Futures tournament.

Fifteen teams battled in a five-a-side contest, including clubs from Bishop Auckland, Easington, Peterlee, Consett, Chester-le-Street, Annfield Plain and Stanley.

The event was organised by the Youth Inclusion Programme, which is funded by the Neighbourhood Renewal Fund, in partnership with Derwentside Leisure Services.

It aims to offer opportunities to participate in sport to marginalised children in the county.

Susan Butler, programme co-ordinator, said: "This is part of our ongoing programme to create social inclusion for all young people, especially those who may be excluded from other activities.

"That can be for a variety of reasons, such as deprivation."

Colin McBride, sports development officer for Derwentside Leisure Services, said: "We promote access and inclusion for boys and girls who are marginalised and basically wouldn't have the opportunity to take part without events like this.

"We are happy to work in partnership to provide those opportunities, and have been rewarded with a fantastic turnout."

The competition, run by the Simply Soccer group, followed the success of a mini-indoor tournament in the Louisa Centre, Stanley.

Ms Butler said: "The Easter event proved to be really successful and we have built on that. Hopefully this will become an annual competition and will grow bigger."

Lumley Lions, from Chester-le-Street, won the girls' trophy. In the under-14 boys, Chester-le-Street Blues beat Uno, from Peterlee. Bad Girls, from Easington, beat Chester-le-Street Reds in the under-16s boys' final.