YOUNGSTERS from across the county kicked off the six-a-side football season with three days of competition at Hardenhuish Park.

Chippenham Town Youth's annual tournament attracted almost 100 teams and catered for age group sides from U7s to U16s.

The tournament, now in its sixth year, began on Friday evening and gave young players the rare chance to play under the floodlights at Hardenhuish. A shortage of space meant the event was fully-subscribed weeks in advance and Chippenham Youth chairman Phil Anteney hailed the weekend as a success.

He said: "It was very good. We were very lucky with the weather and the pitch played very well.

"We are having to turn teams away now because we haven't got space to accommodate them all. The fact it is played on Hardenhuish Park is an attraction because other tournaments in the area are held on fields or at schools.

"We like to put the floodlights on and make the whole thing a bit special for youngsters.

"The only way we could open the tournament for more teams would be if we used the school pitches behind Hardenhuish, but that would take away the prestige of playing on the Town ground for them."

Chippenham Town Rangers secured a home victory in the U16s category, while the U7s team won the sportsmanship award for their age group.

There were also wins for AFC Corsham U11s, White Horse Juniors U9s, FC Chippenham U12s, Wroughton U13s and Castle Combe U15s.

Anteney was pleased to see the host club among the honours and felt there had been a high standard of football on show.

He said: "It is always nice to see your own sides win, but it gives you just as much satisfaction to see the other clubs play well.

"We saw some skilful players and Bristol Rovers Supporters Club U10s had clearly been taught how to play football correctly. It was nice to watch them."

More than 175 teams will contest the prizes when Devizes Town Youth host their six-a-side tournament at Nursteed Road and Southbroom Junior School this weekend.

The event kicks off tomorrow night with the U7s and U8s festival of football, with odd numbered age groups and U12s and U14s girls teams taking their turn on Saturday. Even numbered age groups play on Sunday.