TWO junior first aiders have won the right to compete for a national title for the second time.

Becky Warren and Kristian Watson, from Spennymoor, are both aged ten, but they have considerable experience in dealing with "casualties".

As the North-East's champion Badgers, the junior arm of St John Ambulance, they will compete against teams from all over the country at Croydon, Surrey, in July.

Reserve Joshua Jolly is only six, but he is good enough to back up Spennymoor St John Ambulance superintendent Lynda Aunger's claim that nobody is too young to be a life-saver.

Becky and Kristian also represented the region last year. Their reserve on that occasion, Katherine Fell, from Spennymoor, now makes up a B team with another ten-year-old, Carrie Pickering, from Bishop Auckland.

With their reserve, Jonathan Lownds, they came a close second to Becky and Kristian in this year's County Durham Cup, and won the regional runners-up contest.

Children between six and ten can join the Badgers.

Once they are ten, the children can move on to the St John cadets and can join senior members in the field.

Anyone interested in joining or helping with fundraising can contact Mrs Aunger on (013880 812626.