HELMSLEY are top of the table after scooping several prizes at a county event.

Members of Helmsley table tennis club put in a great performance at the Yorkshire Closed Championships, and now their sights are set on national competition.

Helmsley County Primary pupil Edward Fambely, 11, won his competition, with coach and player Cliff Edens crowned top of division one.

The table tennis playing cop, familiar as Ryedale's community safety sergeant, said the whole club had done well.

"We have had a really good season this year, and with so many successes the children are starting to enter national competitions now," he said.

"We are looking for sponsorship at the moment because when you go to these competitions all the children are in tracksuits, and they look smart, they look the part.

"We just have our own T shirts but we are hoping to get kitted out."

Staff at Bilsdale Riding Centre near Hawnby have promised to start the ball rolling with the promise of up to £200.

Sarah Allott, whose ten-year-old son Charlie competed in every event against much older players, said they wanted to be able to help out the local group.

Updated: 11:22 Wednesday, May 14, 2003