STUDENTS at a Darlington college competed against teams from across the region in a mock law trial.

A team of eight pupils from Darlington's Queen Elizabeth Sixth Form College finished third in the Bar Mock Trial competition at Newcastle Crown Court.

They competed against 16 teams from across the region, and missed out on a place in the final by only two and half points.

The competition is organised by the Citizenship Foundation and is designed to help young people understand the responsibilities and opportunities of citizenship.

The youngsters were given the chance to act as advocates, witnesses, ushers and bailiffs in the imaginary trials, presided over by a judge.

The Darlington team members were: Philip Master, Leo Joncs-Roe, Laura Chicken, Claire Seddon, Kathryn Grant, Jenny Brigham, Anna Garavalova and Ian McCann.

They had prepared for months after being given the chance to compete with the help of Newcastle barrister James Adkin.

The students were helped in preparing for the trial by Giles Bayliss, law teacher at the college.

He said: "The students thoroughly enjoyed taking part and gained a valuable insight into the criminal justice system and a career in the law.