GOLF professional Ernie Wilson is changing clubs.

Mr Wilson, 40, has been the professional at Woodham Golf and Country Club, Newton Aycliffe, for ten years.

He is moving down the road to Great Aycliffe Town Council's Oak Leaf Sports Complex, where he was assistant professional from 1987 to 1991.

Mr Wilson is aiming to develop the Oak Leaf facility and is thrilled by plans for a nine-hole academy course on the site.

He said: "It will be a great facility for the local community and all golfers, especially young children to help them develop from a young age."

Mr Wilson is connected with 20 local schools and is to involve infant and nursery school children in the game with an initiative using plastic clubs and foam golf balls.

He said: "My connection with junior golf at Woodham has been hugely successful, but I see massive scope at Oak Leaf with the driving range, academy course and the ever-improving 18-hole municipal golf course."

As an amateur, Mr Wilson gained international honours at Scottish schoolboy, youth and full levels. He was also a British youth international.

The highlight of his career as a professional was finishing 12th in the Scottish PGA championship.

Mr Wilson said: "I will miss all the staff and members at Woodham and would like to thank managing director Stan Roberts for a long and successful working relationship."

* A Nike golf bag containing Titleist 990 clubs, a Ping driver and a Titleist bag towel worth a total of £1,000 has been stolen.

The items were taken from a garage in St Oswald's Court, Newton Aycliffe, between 11am and 12.30pm on Thursday.