A SUCCESSFUL Durham women's football team is taking a step up into the 'big league' in the North-East after outgrowing its previous competition.

Durham City Ladies FC makes its debut in the Women's Northern League when the new season kicks-in August.

Starting life as Durham University Staff three years ago, they prospered in the inter-college league, seeing off all student opposition.

The team, whose members are aged 15 to 40, completed the 'double' last season with a 7-0 cup final victory over St Hild and St Bede College, after having won the university's league.

Now affiliated to the Durham FA and accepted into the second division of the Northern League, the team expects to find life tougher and is appealing for new players

Any female footballers aged 14 and over are welcome to pre-season training sessions at Gilesgate Comprehensive School, in Bradford Crescent, on Sundays, at 2pm. The team has lined up three pre-season friendlies to prepare for the first league game on August 27.

Home games are played at Laurel Avenue School, off Sherburn Road, Dur-ham, on Sundays, at 2pm.