A VILLAGE reservoir has helped a model boat club prove it is the fastest in the country.

Darlington and district model boat club has come out tops in the national fast-racing competition judged from events held around the country between March and October. It ended the season with two gold, three silver and four bronze medals.

Buoyed by its success and the growing respect for its training centre, the club hopes it may be able to play host to a national competition at Middleton St George water park next year.

Team captain, Mr Ernest Lazenby of Thornaby, was national champion in two classes and took third in another. He won the mono one and mono two racing classes and is due to collect his trophies on October 29 at the Electra racing club's annual meeting.

Junior member, 14-year-old Ashley Wilson of Middleton St George, was runner-up to his team captain in one of the surface classes.

He was only beaten in the submerged classes by former world champion Nick Reese, who returned to the sport after several year's suspension.

"He spared neither effort, expense nor expertise to become national champion in three classes," said Mr Ian Archibald, club secretary.

Another junior member, 17-year-old Carl Smailes of Chilton, was third in two classes and Paul Severs, aged 11, of Darlington, also took a bronze.

Ashley's sister, 12-year-old Kaylee Wilson, was fifth in one class, as was Christopher Chilver, aged 13, of Ingleby Barwick.

"A lot of people don't realise that the juniors are racing against adults. So these youngsters are taking on the people with the money," said Mr Archibald.

Mr Lazenby also flagged up the success of the junior members. He said: "Ashley was in fact only beaten by his tutor - me - in one class and an international champion who came back with a bang this year.

"I would like to stress these are not show boats, they are miniature racing machines. You can't get a model boat and put an engine and some batteries in it. They have to be specially designed.

"If we had competed as a racing club, we would have been the best one in the country."

Praising the village reservoir, he said Mr Reese, who had competed all over the world, said it was international standard for racing.

Radio-controlled electric model boat racing has nine classes, differing in the size of motor and cost, the number and size of batteries and the drive system. The models all have to be able to self-right themselves.

The club at Middleton St George has 73 members - 57 adults and 16 juniors - from throughout Durham, Cleveland and North Yorkshire. Sailing takes place on Sunday mornings and Wednesday evenings and the club played host to one of the ten heats held this year.

Anyone interested in joining should telephone Mr Archibald on 01642 652608