YOUNG footballers from County Durham took part in a competition yesterday aiming to raise their aspirations.

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

Fifteen teams battled it out 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 (YIP), which is funded by the Neighbourhood Renewal Fund, in partnership with Derwentside Leisure Services. The event offered opportunities to participate in sport to marginalised children across the county.

Susan Butler, YIP co-ordinator, said: "This is part of our ongoing programme to create social inclusion for all young people.

"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 an indoor tournament at the Louisa Centre, Stanley, last Easter. Ms Butler said: "Hopefully this will become an annual competition."

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.