YOUNG footballers at a Consett school have made sporting history after winning a tournament for a record seventh consecutive year.

The team, made up of pupils from Years five and six, at St Patrick's RC School, beat rivals Castleside Primary in the finals of the Joe Quinn Memorial five-a-side tournament.

Coach and teacher Dave Archibald said: "We are overjoyed to have this success. The school has a long-standing tradition of producing good footballers. Even by St Patrick's standards, this is quite an achievement."

The school already has an FA Charter Mark for its investment in football and is bidding to win the Government's Active Mark Gold Award, which recognises schools that promote sport in the community.

The trophy for best individual player went to Christopher Wood, of Bloemfontein United.

The contest has been a fixture in the winter sports programme at Belle Vue Leisure Centre in Consett since the late Seventies. Anyone interested in entering a team in next season's competition should call Bobby Hewitson or David Wheelhouse on (01207) 218151.