SOCCER stars of the future fought it out over two days of football action at the weekend.

But all the competitors in the tournaments at Durham Police headquarters, at Aykley Heads, Durham, were female.

Backed by the Football Association, it was a rare opportunity for the players to meet in tournament-style competition.

The growing popularity of women's football was shown when more than 200 players, from teams from across the region, including teams from Tyneside and Teesside, took part and all played to a high standard.

Playing on adjoining pitches at the Aykley Heads playing fields, each team competed in a series of seven-a-side round-robin games, with the top two meeting in the final each day.

Saturday's competition, which was for ten to 12-year-olds, was won by Sunderland's junior girls team, who beat Lumley Ladies 1-0 in the final.

The 14 and under event yesterday was won by Newcastle junior girls, who defeated Reyrolle Kestrels of Hebburn, 1-0, in the final.

Winning captains were presented with their trophies by Durham's Chief Constable, George Hedges, who is also chairman of the Durham Association of Clubs for Young People (DACYP).

Sheila Jevons, women's football development officer for Durham FA, said the response was excellent.

"They're all asking if we'll be doing it again next year."

Fellow organiser Ian Kirkup, a Durham traffic policeman, said: "At the younger level the only competitions for girls are against boys, where there are different skill levels.

The event was jointly organised by Durham Police, Durham FA, DACYP and Durham Agency Against Crime, which supported the tournament to the tune of £500.