A COLLEGE is hoping to score its first sports success of the season in a judo competition.

East Durham and Houghall Community College's Judo Academy is sending three hopefuls to the North-West Open, at St Helen's, Merseyside, on January 27.

Alan McConnell, 17, from Seaham, will fight at under-81kg grade, first kyu brown belt, and Colin Francis, 16, of Trimdon, will fight in his first men's event at under-60kg grade, first kyu brown belt.

They will be joined by team-mate John Kunzi, 20, from Poole, in Dorset, who will fight at under-73kg grade, second dan black belt.

Mr Kunzi lives at Houghall, and is ranked in the top ten in the country for his weight.

The contest comes as the academy's reputation grows, with several of the region's top judo talents expected to attend trials to join in March.

College principal Ian Prescott said: "I wish the lads well in the tournament. I know judo is a fiercely competitive sport, and to have two lads from the area fighting is a great tribute to the sporting talent we have in the region, which can be seen by the success of the sports academies in east Durham."