The new North Wilts District Youth & Minors Football League have been overwhelmed by the response they have received for their venture.

Virtually all clubs from the Swindon & District League have made the switch to the new regime, and the North Wilts committee has extended the registration deadline to allow other clubs to sign up.

The new league has more entries at all age groups in the minors section than the Swindon & District equivalent had last season.

As such, two divisions will be introduced at each of the age groups from under 11 through to under 14.

Entry levels for mini-soccer which will be competitive at under 9 and under 10 have also been high, with more than 90 teams submitting applications thus far.

Fixture secretary Mark Smedley said: "The response to the new league has been fantastic.

"In particular it is really great that we have a viable league in the under 16 age group given that we had no teams at under 15 level last season.

"We could do with a few more teams at this age group, and our hope is that when clubs hear that we have enough teams to have a good competitive league others will come across."

The league's committee is busy formulating the divisions in time for its AGM on June 18, but clubs wishing to join the league can still apply.

Any club interested in joining should contact Margaret Rivers (registration secretary) on (01793) 346568 or Claire Smedley (mini-soccer registration secretary) on (01793) 852584.