THE first Darlington Young Sportswinner of 2000, sponsored by Orange, was named at a recent ceremony that saw new awards added to the scheme.

Paul Horsley, 15, a pupil at Eastbourne School, Darlington, won the award for Taekwondo, having been selected to represent Great Britain in this November's World championships in Ireland.

Two years ago, Paul, then 13, became the first Young Sportswinner of 1998, having already won the national championships, North-East Open, Midland Open and Scott-ish International Open competitions twice each.

This month's runner-up awards went to Amanda Ilsley, for karate, with table tennis player Andrew Leighton.

Andrew is a member of Darlington Table Tennis Club, which took two of the three new awards that have been added for this year's programme.

The club received the team award, sponsored by Amec, and the service-to-sport award, supported by Darlington Borough Council, went to Keith Wilson, of the club.

Badminton coach Peter Walton won the first coaching award, sponsored by the Master Skills Sporting Academy.

The closing date for entries to the July Young Sportswinner is this Friday.

July's sports are gymnastics, fencing, football, cricket and basketball.

People participating at all levels of sport, aged between 13 and 20, are eligible to enter the Darling-ton Young Sports Winner Award.

For more details contact Janet Cooper on (01325) 388415.