DEVIZES Town Youth were given a boost in their bid for new changing facilities at Nursteed Road after 164 teams turned out for the club's annual six-a-side tournament at the weekend.

This year's entry was the best in the history of the event and saw teams from across the south west region travel to take part.

The tournament began on Friday evening with under 12's and under 14's competitions for girls teams, while all odd-numbered age groups between under sevens and under 13's took to the field on Saturday.

Sunday's action saw all even numbered age groups from under eights to under 14's take part and brought Devizes' only success, with the host club clinching victory in the under 10's category.

Other Wiltshire successes came in the under 11's, under 12's and under 13's categories, with Trowbridge Wanderers, Stratton Juniors and Chippenham Town A respectively taking the honours.

Player of the tournament awards were handed out in most age group categories, with the referees deciding who had been the competition's outstanding performer in each.

In accordance with new Football Association guidelines, the under sevens and under eights played festival football, with each participant receiving a trophy for taking part in the tournament and highest achiever awards being handed to the best-placed team in each group.

Organiser Mark Surman admitted the three-day tournament left him exhausted but he was delighted his club had managed to attract so many teams and supporters.

He said: "It went brilliantly. The weather was good, which always helps, and we had a very good three days.

"I'd like to thank all of the sponsors, but also Devizes Junior School and Devizes Town Football Club. Without them, there would have been no tournament and we owe them a lot.

"We managed to win the under tens and that is the first time that team have reached the final, so they did well. But it wasn't all about us winning prizes, it was about us making it a success and raising money for new changing rooms."

The Dedicated Mini-Soccer Fund have already set aside £24,000 for new youth changing rooms at Nursteed Road, leaving the club with a shortfall of £12,000.

They hope to have the new facilities in place in time for the beginning of the 2002/03 campaign and Surman believes the youth football tournament held at the weekend was crucial to the club's bid.

He said: "We have been provisionally set aside £24,000 by the Dedicated Mini-Soccer Fund and need to find £36,000 overall.

"I'm not sure exactly how much we raised at the weekend yet, but I reckon it has gone a long way toward making up the £12,000 shortfall."