GIRLS soccer is certainly kicking off in a big way in high schools throughout the borough.

And young female footballers had the ideal opportunity to display their skills during the second annual six-a-side girls soccer competition.

The tournament, which was split into two year groups, was staged at Philips High School in Whitefield on Saturday (May 18).

Schools taking part were: Radcliffe High; Philips High; Castlebrook High; Bury C of E High and Woodhey High.

The competition was organised by the Bury Girls and Ladies Football Club.

Schoolgirls played six minutes each way and the winners were: Year 7 Philips High School and year 8/9 Castlebrook High School.

Both squads will now represent the borough in next month's Greater Manchester Youth Games.

Mark Withington, Bury Girls and Ladies Football Club director and head coach, said: "It was a brilliant tournament. Everyone had a great time and the weather remained good."

Encouraging news is that schoolgirl soccer is becoming more and more popular throughout the borough.

"The local authority's sports development unit and my club promotes girls football as much as possible in most of the local high schools," explained Mark.

Bury Girls and Ladies Club includes players who have represented their country and also harnesses a school of excellence in Blackburn to enhance soccer skills.

Mark added: "The standard of soccer among girls in local high schools is quite high and this year several of the pupils are having England trials."