WORCESTER City's youth team celebrated last night after clinching the Midland Floodlit Youth League Southern Division title.

A 4-0 triumph at Cinderford Town meant City finished top of the division, three points clear of nearest rivals Gloucester City.

Promotion into the elite Premier Division, which includes Kidderminster Harriers, Nuneaton Borough and Sutton Coldfield Town, eases the disappointment of two cup final defeats for Worcester's youngsters.

City reached the final of the highly regarded Midland Floodlit Youth League Cup and Worcestershire FA Youth Cup, but lost both occasions to Stourbridge and Sutton Coldfield respectively.

Worcester's youth development officer Ray Woods hailed his teenage stars for their efforts. Woods said: "It's fantastic. I'm proud of all the lads.

"When you look back at the season, it's probably the most successful in Worcester's youth team history.

"To get to the final of two cup finals was a tremendous achievement.

"We should have done better in those finals, but the good thing was we always had the league title to go for.

"It's great for the lads and next year will be a much bigger test for them. There are a lot of good sides in the Premier Division, but I anticipate us doing really well.

"The boys have played 28 games this season in all competitions and lost only four. Only one of those defeats has been in the league. That's an excellent record."