TEENAGER Tracey Wond has a passion for football - so much so that she has started a team.

The 18-year-old, from South Otterington, near Northallerton, used to travel to Darlington twice a week to play in a ladies' side.

But she wanted a base closer to home and, with the help of a local club, has set up Northallerton Academy Ladies Football Club.

They have succeeded in getting sponsorship for tracksuits and playing kit, and have also been given £1,000.

Thirty people have signed up for membership and 16 of those are now in regular training on Tuesday evenings at Romanby Leisure Park.

Tracey, an A-Level student at Northallerton College, said: "It has gone really well.

"I have been playing the game for about three years now, but I wanted to play for a ladies' side that did not mean travelling to Darlington all the time."

The side are preparing to join the Northern Women's League next season.

Anyone interested in joining the club is asked to call Tracey on (07760) 175782 or visit www.intheteam.com/ northallertonalfc