A CARLISLE primary school has said that it is 'ecstatic' after its girls' football team was crowned county champions.

Newlaithes Junior School's girls' football team, comprised of eight year five and year six students, celebrated the Pokemon Primary Schools Cup win at Harraby 3G after winning the regional event.

At the event, seven primary school teams took part including Kingmoor Juniors, Belle Vue Primary, Kirkby Stephen, Beaconside, Nelson Thomlinson Junior, Langwathby, and St Michaels.

News and Star: Newlaithes Juniors narrowly claimed victory at the regional tournament to the delight of coach Tom King, who has been attempting to win the cup for several years.

He said: "I am ecstatic for them, they have done such a good job.

"We have been trying to win a major county championship for years since I started at Newlaithes and the girls did really well."

Team members Ellan and Jess also described their excitement at winning the cup.

Ella said: "We played loads of different matches at Harraby 3G and when they said that we won we all really jumped up and down in excitement... we couldn't really believe that we had won!"

"It was good, I really enjoyed playing as well. We didn't expect that we were going to win and we were really happy," Jess added.

Newlaithes Junior School headteacher Richard Clark was on hand to pile the praise on the school's girls' football team after their championship win, which could lead them to a national final which will be played at a yet-to-be-determined Premier League ground.

News and Star: It also comes a matter of weeks after the school's boys football team won the regional leg of the Utilita EFL Cup.

He said: "The girls are really excited, the next round is going to be away as well as they are now classed as county champions really. But the next round is going to be somewhere else, with the possibility of playing in one of the Premier League's stadiums.

"It is something I have always been passionate about. I trained in physical education and so coming to a school like Newlaithes which is very sporty and keen and want to do well is something that I am very proud of.

"What more could I ask after winning two tournaments in such a short period of time?"