Highworth Junior Girls' Football Club hosted an under 10s mini soccer festival at their ground in Highworth on Sunday.

It was a non-competitive festival, with the emphasis on the girls playing the game and having fun at the same time.

Although there were several groups of clubs, there were no winners or losers, and each girl received a medal for taking part.

Paul Tollemache, manager of Swindon Spitfires and a committee member for the Wiltshire County Women's and Girls FA, was one of the organisers of Sunday's festival.

He said: "During the 2003/04 season, there have been a series of such festivals hosted by various clubs round the region with the idea of drawing younger girls into the game of football.

"This festival was really focused on the girls enjoying playing football, but it was not competitive.

"Although we placed the participating teams into groups there were no group winners it is all about having fun playing football.

"One of the main purposes of holding these festivals this season is encourage as many girls under 10 years of age to take up football.

"Over the season, there have been more than 120 girls aged under 10 taking part, which is very encouraging."

The success of the festivals held this season has led the organisers to consider introducing a more competitive format next season.

Tollemache said: "These festivals have proved very popular and we will look at the possibility of introducing an under 10s league for next season to bring a more competitive edge. But we will have to see how it goes."

After the last matches had been played, the captain of each team collected a medal for each player in their team.

The medals were presented by Bev Maull, a county coach and also the Wiltshire Women's & Girls' Football Development Officer.

Teams taking part were: Swindon Town A, Swindon Spitfires A, Keynsham A, Swindon Badgers White, Bradford on Avon, Swindon Badgers Black, Chippenham Town, Keynsham B, Blunsdon, HIghworth Juniors, Swindon Spitfires B, FC Chippenham, Derry Hill FC, Swindon Town B.

Any girl interested in joining a club can contact Bev for more information and details about the county's growing number of clubs who have started a section for girls. Her telephone number is 01793 824505.