Hummersknott School in Darlington have continued their long-standing tradition of success in the English Schools Badminton tournament.

Both of the school's under-16s boy and girls teams will compete in the national finals to take place in Luton after qualifying from a regional final two weeks ago.

Last year the under-14s boys team also reached the national finals which will this year host a dozen of the country's best school sides in April.

The Hummersknott girls squad has three members which are much younger than others in their age group. Jenny Blewitt (captain), Katie Zissler and Diane Gray are all two years younger, while Ashleigh Thompson is also part of the team. The boys team features Matthew Blewitt, Andrew Caldwell, Mark Zissler, Mark Dobbinson and Scott Iveson.

Teacher, Philip Boyle, heaped praise on coach, Andy King, who is a former pupil of the school.

"He started playing at 11 at the school and was part of a very good team. A lot of the credit goes to him for the coaching."

Also, the under-14s will join the elder side at the national finals if they qualify from the regional heat in Newton Aycliffe in March.