GIRL power shone through as three local youngsters took top honours in a major national fencing competition last weekend.

The talented trio from Polam Hall School in Darlington and Teesside High School, Egglescliffe, beat off strong male opposition at the Leon Paul Scottish Foil Championships in Edinburgh to clinch top places in their age groups.

Eight-year-old Emma Stokes, from Eaglescliffe, won the under nine's title, while Felicity Hemlin, aged 13, from Stokesley, took second place in the under 15's group. Both girls attend Teesside High School.

Third place in the under 13's category went to 12-year-old Polam girl Natasha Williams, of Low Coniscliffe.

By fay nayman

Their coach, former fencing champion Geoffrey Thompson of Gainford, is thrilled with the trio's progress, espe-cially Emma, who only took up the sport last September.

He said: "Emma has a ten-year-old sister who also fences, but for a girl of her age she has exceptional co-ordination.

"We have so many girls taking up fencing now. They are far more competitive than the boys and they also have more patience. Boys just want to get up there and have a bit of fun."

Mr Thompson believes girls are attracted to fencing because it is one contact sport in which they know they won't get injured.

"Fencing is done on an equal standing because the strength is in the sword," he added. "Girls know there is no chance of getting hurt, unlike rugby and the like, and so throw themselves into it."

Mr Thompson, who has been fencing since he was 12, teaches both girls and boys at private schools around the region. Two of his former students from Wham, near Butterknowle, have gone on to fence for England.

"I was asked to start a class at Polam Hall when my girls were there and the whole thing has snowballed ever since. Now I teach at many schools in the area and the enthusiasm for the sport is overwhelming."

The three girl champions are due to compete in Durham in September and London in December.