BUSINESSES, beat bobbies and more than 50 young children got together under a police sporting initiative.

The gala tag rugby tournament had been arranged by Durham Constabulary as part of its on-going Street Safe scheme.

Spearheaded by beat officers from the Belmont area, the event, staged at the Aykley Heads Police Headquarters, in Durham, got off to a smart start when three local businesses presented all those taking part with new rugby strips.

Peter Cook Transport donated strips for pupils from Cheveley Park Junior School in Belmont, Jennings Ford to Belmont Junior School and Vimac Leisure to St Thomas Moore School, also in Belmont.

Inspector Dick Dodds said that the idea of the tournament was to familiarise school children with their own local police officers.

"The tournament has proved an outstanding success and we are grateful to all who took part including the two representatives from the Rugby Football Union,'' he said.

The afternoon-long competition resulted in a final between St Thomas Moore School and Cheveley Park School, with Cheveley winning by three tries to two.

The victorious team was presented with a trophy which had been donated by Peters Cathedral Bakers.