DEVIZES Town raised £5,000 towards the cost of their new changing rooms at Nursteed Road as more than 180 teams contested their fifth annual six-a-side extravaganza.

The action began on Friday evening with 112 players at U7 and U8 level enjoying a festival of football, with each receiving a medal in recognition of their participation.

Age group sides from U9 to U14 battled it out on eight six-a-side pitches at Devizes' Nursteed Road headquarters and the adjoining Southbroom Primary School on Saturday and Sunday.

Teams from as far afield as Southampton and Oxford ventured to Devizes for the popular tournament, with some age groups fully subscribed two months beforehand.

Devizes Town Youth chairman and tournament organiser Mark Surman was delighted with the turnout.

Said Surman: "They all enjoyed it. It was hard work to put it on, but it is all worth it in the end. It is all about having fun.

"We had teams from Swindon, Andover, Southampton, Bristol and Oxford there. The trophies are the best ones around and I think that is one of the attractions for them.

"In certain age groups we were full seven weeks ago. I could have had 40 teams in the U13s, but we couldn't cater for any more than 24.

"The U7s and U8s were great on Friday night. All 112 of them went home with medals and all went away happy."

Teams from the Swindon area emerged with four age group triumphs, with Trowbridge Town claiming the honours in the U13s and U11s.

Devizes Town Youth U12s came close to adding the host club's name to the list of winners, but were forced to settle for the runners-up berth as they were beaten in the final by Westlea Wanderers.

Matches were refereed by volunteers and members of the Devizes Town Youth U14s, U15s and U16s squads.

Said Surman: "The tournament was refereed superbly. I must mention the U14s, U15s and U16s from Devizes Town Youth, who turned up in their droves and refereed all weekend."

Devizes will use the money raised by the tournament to help fund their new changing facility at Nursteed Road, which is due to open in time for the start of the 2003/04 season.

The facility, which has been under construction for around eight months, is nearing completion and Devizes have now raised the required £12,000 towards paying for it.

The total cost of the project is £36,000, and the club have been boosted by a grant from the Football Association. The facility will feature four changing rooms, a referees room and a canteen.

The six-a-side action switches back to Chippenham this weekend as FC Chippenham welcome around 2,000 young players to the Westmead Playing Fields.

Even numbered age groups between U10s and U16s line up on Saturday, with odd numbered age groups between U9s and U15s taking to the field on Sunday.