A TEAM of rising young sports stars start their campaign to be crowned European champions today.

Woodham Warriors, the American flag football team from Woodham Community Technology College, near Newton Aycliffe, represent the UK in the European championships in Dusseldorf, Germany, this weekend. The team will play twice tonight and then three games tomorrow.

If they finish in the top three, they will travel to the world finals in Beijing later this year.

Student coach Danny Ketch said: "We're hopeful we can get through to Beijing."