A DURHAM school is celebrating after winning the English Schools Skiing Association Championships.

Belmont Comprehensive School Ski Academy beat the country's top private schools to take the title at the competition in Derbyshire.

The members of the team were Lee Bennett, Craig Ruddick, Lee Ruddick, Ben Wilson and Gareth Carr, all aged 14 and 15.

The boys, who train with the Ravens Ski Club, at Silksworth, Sunderland, took gold in the open age group and bronze in the under-16 competition.

They were watched by their parents and PE teachers Gordon Beecham and Ernie Sarsfield. Mr Beecham said: "This is the first time we have won the English Schools Championship."

The boys are favourites to take the British title in Llandudno, Wales, on November 11.