A NEW junior sports league kicks off in Sedgefield in the new year.

Following a hugely popular junior five-a-side football tournament at Ferryhill Leisure Centre, a new five-a-side league will be launched on January 15.

About 150 youngsters, in 30 teams, took part in the competition in November and youngsters called for more organised competitions at the centre's sports hall.

The new league will be split into boys and girls sessions for under tens, under 13s and under 16s.

Ferryhill Leisure Centre will continue to host junior football training sessions for boys and girls aged between five and eight-years-old.

The sessions, organised by professional junior football coach Gary Mundell, are held on Mondays, from 4.30pm until 5.30pm, and on Fridays, from 5.30pm until 6.30pm.

For details of the coaching sessions or to get involved in the league, for which a few places are still available, contact the centre on (01740) 654121.