AN all-woman canoe team has set its sights on landing a second young people's award.

The quartet from Newton Aycliffe youth centre - Sara Robinson, Helen Johnson and Sue Nicholson, all 24, and Ali Turner, 23 - have already completed their Durham Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award.

Now they will contest the final of Durham County Council's Youth Work That Works award during National Youth Work Week next week.

They won the Sedgefield area competition to qualify for Thursday's final at County Hall, in Durham.

The Kanu team were supported in their gold award by Durham County Council's education in the community service and Cockerton Outdoor Activities Centre.

Their expedition involved canoeing in the Lochaber area of Scotland, where they encountered porpoises and dolphins and had to overcome high winds and torrential rain.

Sue Turnbull, the Durham Duke of Edinburgh award co-ordinator, said: "The theme for National Youth Work Week is about enjoying and achieving and the team have certainly done just that.

"They are tremendous role models for young people."

Ms Robinson works at Windlestone Hall School, near Rushyford, and Ms Turner with a youth inclusion project in Easington district.

Both are encouraging other young people to join the award scheme.

Ms Johnson teaches at Hartlepool and Ms Nicholson is a school learning support assistant in Wales.