A SCHOOL is celebrating success on the badminton court.

Year 7 boys from The Wensleydale School in Leyburn have been crowned area champions after beating St Francis Xavier School, in Richmond, as well as Thirsk and Bedale schools.

The year 7 girls team were runners-up, only losing to St Francis Xavier.

As well as the team success, Matthew Readshaw and Joseph O'Keeffe won the national Badminton B championships recently.

Matthew won the singles and then went on to play doubles with Joseph to win that as well.

Head of PE Lee Wasden said: "The competition is open to any student who is not attached to a performance centre for badminton so this was a superb achievement, especially for Matthew who is also ranked 23rd nationally in squash at U13 even though he's a year younger than many others.

"We have lots of very talented badminton players at the school and we are very proud of them."

The players are: Back row from left, Cameron Pirrie , Matthew Readshaw, Tim Weatherill, Joseph O'Keeffe and Matthew Foxwell, Front row from left, Katie Oliver, Mia Smith, Lucy Lightowler and Lucy Spence.