YOUNG North-East sports enthusiasts were honoured this week for their efforts at a teenage version of the Olympics.

Durham's 139-strong Millennium Youth Games team, including management, coaches and support helpers, were guests at a County Hall reception to herald their achievements this summer.

Each of the 125 competitors was presented with a commemorative medal and team photograph by the county council chairman, Councillor Don Robson,

But, pride of place went to the girls' under-15 football team, all from schools in the Chester-le-Street area - the county's only winners at the national finals in Southampton last month.

They went through the tournament without conceding a goal in open play, but needed a penalty shoot-out to see off Lincolnshire 3-1 in the final.

Special mention was given to the boys' under-15 team, drawn from schools for pupils with learning difficulties.

Made up of players from just two schools, Elemore Hall and Trinity, in the Durham area, they just missed out on a place in the final.

High praise was also given to the under-13 mixed tennis team, featuring players from Durham High School for Girls and Durham Johnston School, who reached the quarter-finals.

Team manager Geoff Sheldon said: "You can gauge by the fact that not one of the other North-East teams had any competitors in the final stages of any event, for us to have three - considering the size of the team and the numbers we were up against - was a real bonus."

The 125 finalists qualified from the 6,000 competitors from all over the county who took part in Durham's version of the Millennium Youth Games, in July.

Woodhouse Close Leisure Complex, at Bishop Auckland, staged the swimming competition, while the other events took place over three days at Durham University's Graham Sports Centre, at Maiden Castle.

The event was backed by Durham Sport, county school meals provider Chartwell's, County Durham Development Company and The Northern Echo.