FOUR young fencers are helping the North-East make its mark on the national scene on the piste.

The quartet, members of the Durham Phoenix Club, have won call ups to the Great Britain cadet squad for forthcoming international competitions.

Joel Woods, 15, and sisters Sophie, 15, and 13-year-old Lucy Ridsdale, all from Durham, and Jade Clark, 14, of Darlington, gathered points from qualifying competitions to win selection to the national squad in the epee category of fencing.

All four train together twice weekly at Gilesgate Community Association, in Durham, and Durham University sports complex at Maiden Castle, on the outskirts of the city.

They receive expert advice from coaches Bela Kopetka, a Hungarian, and German Peter Bittman, both of whom are attached to the club.

The three girls will be heading with the British cadet squad to an international competition in Heidenheim in Germany later this month, while Joel will join the male under-17 squad in a French tournament next month.

Phoenix founder Barry Flood said the youngsters' success was a further sign of the rise of both the club, and of fencing in the North-East, once considered a back-water of the sport.

"It's very good news for the sport in the region," he said.

The club has been chosen to host the Five Nations Senior International Tournament in April.