NOVICE fencers from Barnard Castle School are to cross swords with the best in the country after qualifying for a national competition just weeks into their new sport.

Stephanie Bramwell, Adrian Denham, Laura Stronach, Hamish Byers, Victoria Raper and Georgina Zissler only took up fencing this term but qualified at the North-East Regional Youth Championships in North Shields.

They will now compete in the National Youth Championships for foil and epee, which will be held in Stoke-on-Trent in January and February.

Their instructor, Let's Fence coach Iain Aberdeen, said: "Their performance is absolutely fantastic.

"I only entered them in the regional championships to gain some competition experience, not really expecting them to qualify.

"But they did fantastically well and made it through."

Stephanie said: "We love fencing with a passion and just seem to have taken to it naturally."

Mr Aberdeen was invited to teach at the school this term as part of a newly-expanded activities programme.

He now teaches three classes a week with the sport growing in popularity all the time.

The next step for the children will involve them competing against the top four fencers from every region in competitions in Stoke.

Then, in March, they plan to enter the Public Schools Championships, a three-day contest at Crystal Palace involving 1,500 competitors.

"Fencing has really taken off in the school," Mr Aberdeen said.

"There is a superbly competitive atmosphere there and the children are really committed.

"It is great that such a new venture has taken off so well."

Deputy headteacher Oliver Marlow said: "The new 70-strong activities programme is an essential element of school life at Barnard Castle, complementing academic studies perfectly.

"We always thought the girls and boys would enjoy fencing, but did not expect them to take to it with such vigour and to be so naturally talented - that is a real bonus."