A LONG-running junior rugby festival has received a boost from a North-East property developer.

City and Northern, which is developing the Morton Palms Business Park in Darlington, has sponsored the under-13s section of the 2004 Darlington RFC Junior Rugby Festival.

The under-13s will compete for the Morton Palms Cup this year, thanks to the sponsorship.

The tournament features more than 1,500 players and attracts teams from across the region.

The festival, at Darlington RFC's Blackwell Meadows ground, will take place on May 1, 2 and 3.

Organiser Tony Stowe said: "The festival is always one of the Darlington rugby scene's highlights of the year and has featured some of the best young players in the country, a number of whom have gone on to play at international level."

Elliott Ward, managing director of City and Northern, said: "We like to support community events in the area as often as we can. As a big rugby fan myself, I am very happy for Morton Palms to sponsor the festival, which is a focal point for many young sportsmen in the region."