A GIRLS' soccer team is on the winning trail after storming through unbeaten in a six-a-side football festival.

A squad of ten year seven girls, from Sunnydale Comprehensive School, Shildon, beat off stiff competition from schoolgirl teams throughout County Durham.

Despite the fact that they were one of the smallest teams taking part in the Durham County Secondary Schools Girls Football Festival, they put four goals past Wellfield Comprehensive, Wingate, and the Hermitage School, from Chester-le-Street before playing out a goal-less draw with King James School, Bishop Auckland.

In the semi-final, they beat St Leonard's RC Comprehensive School, Durham, 2-1 before beating Ferryhill Comprehensive in the final 1-0.

The event was held at the University of Durham's Graham Sports Centre, at Maiden Castle. It was organised by Durham County Council's PE and sport development unit and backed by the Football Association.

Team members were Beth Burnside, Laura Cook, Donna Cummins, Katie Foster, Jennifer Jennings, Lauren McDonnell, Michaela Miles, Marcia Rowland, Megan Saunders and Rebecca Thompson.

Teacher Malcolm Dover who accompanied them, said: "It was one of the best sporting triumphs in the school's history, made all the sweeter by the fact we were beaten in the semi-final last year.''