ROLLER hockey players are on track for success after qualifying for the world championships.

Following on from Durham's tradition of being a hotbed for ice hockey, local enthusiasts Bob Hitch and Alistair Ratcliffe started a boys' roller hockey (inline) club called Durham City Rollers.

Over several years, it won many honours around the country, prompting Mr Hitch to form an all-girls team about five years ago.

Since then, the Durham Mighty Chix, which has about seven core players, has steadily built up a reputation, regularly playing in tournaments at Derby Storm Arena. Five of the older girls were recently offered trials for the Great Britain squad for the first women's world championships, taking place in New York on July 15.

All five were successful and four - Emma Gourley, 20, Sarah Clere, 16, Katie Hills, 17, and Leanne Clark, 15 - plan to take part.

Their team-mate Beverley Hutchinson, 16, had to decline as she has been selected to play for a mixed team in the North American Roller Hockey Championships in Minnesota, where she will be joined by Durham goalkeeper Neil Secombe, 18.

Leanne's father Jim Clark said finding sponsors had been an uphill struggle: "The success of all five is brilliant news for Durham but sadly, sponsorship and funding from sporting bodies has been almost non-existent," he said.

"The North-East has been the only region not to receive any funding from the local sports council."

He said that despite the difficulties, the girls were determined to compete.

"They're all pretty dedicated, and their parents and families will not allow any of these players to miss out on the chance of a lifetime," he said.

Anyone wishing to sponsor the team can contact Mr Clark on 0774 1144 656.