A GREAT run came to an end when young footballers from Kildwick C of E Primary School were knocked out in the regional finals of two competitions.

Year six pupils Wilf Roberts, Max Hibbert, Max Riddiough, Charlie Mitchell, Ashley Painter, Rhys Troake, Max Robinson and Logan Brown were heartbreakingly knocked out in the regional finals of the Kinder + Sport Kids Cup held at Morecambe.

A last-minute goal by the opposing team knocked Kildwick, who were representing York City FC, out the Football League tournament. The youngsters had been hoping to play in the national finals at Wembley in May.

"They did so want to go to Wembley but they did fantastically well for a small school," said the boys' teacher, Clare Smurthwaite. "We were representing all the schools in North Yorkshire, and Kildwick ended up seventh out of 4,500, which is still pretty amazing."

Two days before, the same team - with the exception of Anna Lodge coming in for Max Robinson - also played in the North regional finals of the Danone Nations Cup at Maltby Academy near Rotherham.

Mrs Smurthwaite said the day was a great experience for Anna Lodge because she was the only girl in the whole tournament, "which was great for her".

Andrew Mitchell coached the teams in both tournaments.