YOUNG fencers at an independent school are being tipped to provide some sharp competition.

Pupils from Barnard Castle School have taken up fencing as one of the five disciplines in the modern pentathlon.

The youngsters also practise swimming, shooting, horse riding and running, but it is fencing that has caught the imagination of most students.

Demand for fencing was so high that three after-school classes each week have started this term for day and boarding pupils.

Instructor Iain Aberdeen, a former national fencer who has a coaching company, said: "Fencing is a very disciplined sport and very intense once you move up to modern pentathlon level.

"Some of the students at Barnard Castle School are very good and one of my aims is to train them all to fence competitively."

One pupil certainly looking to continue progressing in the sport is Victoria Raper, 11, from Staindrop, who is aiming for future Olympic glory.

She said: "I've been fencing since I was eight and I've got my sights set on 2012 and the modern pentathlon."