Young footballers returned in triumph from Russia following a competition held as part of a youth cultural exchange initiative.

The scheme, which was set up by Durham County Council and Durham Constabulary, began in 2000 with a visit to Germany, where the group first met their Russian counterparts.

Last year, a team from Russia came to the region for a competition and cultural visit.

This year, the Russian team returned the hospitality by inviting 15 young people from Derwentside to spend a week with them in their home city of Petrozavodsk.

PC Kevin Alder, community safety officer for Derwentside police, said: "As well as being the footballing opportunity of a lifetime for the team, we were also able to experience some of the more cultural activities around Petrozavodsk.

"We see the exchange as an example to the youth community of what rewards can be achieved through team work and sheer determination."

The Derwentside team won the overall tournament, which was played in front of a crowd of more than 3,000.