TWENTY youngsters from a North-East table tennis club have been invited to represent England at an international tournament.

The Darlington Table Tennis Club youngsters, aged 11 to 16, will travel to Hungary in June to compete against 41 other nations in the World Youth Table Tennis Festival.

The club needs to raise £14,000 for the trip and is looking for sponsorship.

Coach Keith Wilson said yesterday that parents were planning fundraising events, but they would also like to hear from anyone else able to help.

He said: "Our sport does not get the publicity other sports get, despite the fact ours is probably the most successful sports club in Darlington.

"The kids at the club are so talented. Many of them take part in national competitions and a lot have national rankings. That is why they were invited to take part in this tournament and represent England.

"It is a great honour for them. It is huge thing, a tremendous opportunity and fantastic for Darlington."

Anyone interested in sponsoring the team is asked to contact (01325) 313827.