FOOTBALL-MAD schoolgirls were given the chance to play the beautiful game yesterday.

Seven hundred pupils from 50 primary and 20 secondary schools in County Durham took part in a soccer festival.

The event, held at Durham University's Graham Sports Centre, was held to encourage girls to take up the sport and help those already into it improve their skills.

It was organised by Durham County Council's PE and Sport Development Unit, with backing from Middlesbrough FC, the Football Association, and school dinner contractor Chartwells.

The guests were the Chester-le-Street girls' team that won the gold medal at last month's national Millennium Youth Games final at Southampton.

Students from Durham Gilesgate Sports College helped run the festival with officials from the Durham County Referees Association and council officials from councils throughout the county.

Geoff Sheldon, of the PE and Sport Development Unit, said: "Although the aim of the festival is to get young girls involved in playing the game, the competition is always fierce and the standard gets better every year.

"The boys had better look out - the girls are catching them up."