youngsters have put themselves on the springboard to even greater success after competing in one of the world's biggest youth sport events.

It is hoped that the experience of taking part in the Millennium Youth Games will help the youngsters, from Hartlepool, achieve their future sporting goals.

About 400 children represented the town at the Teesside heats of the games and four local teams went on to the finals, held in Southampton, from August 17 to 20. An under-15 girls' netball team, made up of youngsters from schools in the town, achieved the best result by reaching the quarter-finals and finishing fifth overall, out of a total of 50 teams.

A boys' under-15 moderate learning disability football team, made up of youngsters from Catcote School, got through to a plate competition, while a boys' under-13 basketball team reached a similar stage. A girls' under-15 football team, made up of pupils from Brierton and English Martyrs schools, qualified for the second stages of their competition before being knocked out.

Claire Starks, head of the sports development team at Hartlepool Borough Council, said: "Everyone who took part in the games, from the earliest stages, deserves praise.

"These youngsters have proved great ambassadors for the town, and I am sure the experience will stand them in good stead for the future."

Councillor Doug Ferriday, chairman of the council's community services and safety board, said: "All of the youngsters should be very proud of their achievements. These games have proved to be a tremendous experience for them, many of whom are undoubtedly destined to achieve great things in the world of sport.