NANTWICH Town's youth section has enjoyed its most successful season ever.

Youngsters aged eight to 16 have been rewarded for their efforts with a glittering array of silverware from a variety of league and cup competitions.

And six of their most talented youngsters have been picked up by Football League clubs.

Director of football Clive Jackson said: 'Our youth section continues to go from strength to strength. We are delighted with our teams who won trophies, and the others who have made big improvements.

'Our policy is to never hold back our best players, and we are pleased to see that another batch has been spotted by league clubs. It is testament to hard work of our coaches, and we wish them luck.'

More than 250 boys and girls play football with Nantwich every week, and their qualified coaches regularly host school and club sessions in addition.

Nantwich have never prevented their players, young or old, from progressing in the game. Last season the beneficiaries included U8 Joe Piggott, U11 De-rice Richards and U13 Shaun Robinson, who were snapped up by Stoke City.

Port Vale took U11 Callum Hood and will give U12 Kenny Mathers a trial, while U14 Bradley Cooper will get the opportunity to prove his worth to Crewe Alex.

They take the total up to 20 players who have joined Football League clubs over the past eight years.

Of the teams representing the Dabbers on the pitch, the treble winning success of the U16s was arguably the highlight. Midfielder Josh Hancock went on to make his first team debut at the end of last season.

Other success stories included the U14s and U12 Diablos, who won their respective league cups, while the U11 Dabbers won the Wilf Saunders Cup in the South Cheshire Youth League.

Nantwich Town are set to hold trials for youngsters from U8 to U16. For details visit www.nantwichtownfc.com

Meanwhile, 100 teams took part in the recent two-day tournament hosted by Sandbach United. Boys and girls aged 6-12 took part in the event, sponsored by Robert Eardley & Son.

United were runners up in the boys' U7, U8 and U10 competitions, and won the U11 contest, along with the U12 girls' event. Crewe and Nantwich U10 Girls came second in their tournament.

And the club had more reason to celebrate when their U11 Tigers went on to win a tournament in Calais, France. The team, made up of six boys and one girl, beat Boulogne A 4-0 in the final with goals from Danny Wakeham, Jack Buckley and Joe Radcliffe (2).

Anyone interested in joining Sandbach United can call 07792 743877.

Betley FC U11s have celebrated clinching their South Cheshire Youth League title, losing just one game in the process. Club spokesman Hugh Ashworth said: 'The team has done really well.'

The club is on the lookout for more players. Youngsters in Year 6 can call 01270 509662 for details. Girls in Years 2, 3 and 4 can call 01270 652769.

* Workers from Crewe-based construction firm Up and Under were denied national success to go with their regional glory.

They won the North West heat of the ICE (Institute for Civil Engineers) five-a-side championship at Trafford park, Manchester, on a penalty shoot-out, thanks to keeper Rick Barlow.

At the national final in Norwich, a Kevin Sharp hat-trick helped pave the way to the quarter-finals, when they were dumped out 3-2 in extra time by Atkins.