PUPILS from Coniston's John Ruskin School donned their finest fancy dress attire to tackle the 54th annual fell race.

125 students took part in the race, paying £1 to raise money for a variety of school events and local organisations, including Coniston Mountain Rescue Team, who also provide their services by helping to marshal the course.

The first fell race took place in 1962. It is a competitive race between the two houses, Brantwood and Thurston.

Year Ten student Ben Edmondson (Thurston) was the quickest, coming home in a time of 16:26 and was followed by Year 11 pupil Robert Albion and Year Seven's Cameron Coates, both of Brantwood house.

The girls race was won by Lauryn Kirkbride (Thurston, Year Ten) in 19:20. Courtney Hutchinson (Thurston Year Nine) was second while Eva Wilson (Brantwood Year Seven) was third.

Brantwood won the overall title.

Head teacher Peter Blackburn also took part in the race, finishing ninth in the boys race.

Ian Rose, head of PE, said: "We were blessed with good weather, little wind, and a calm river - probably one of the best for weather in my 14 years of organising this race.

"The students always push themselves to their limits, even the weaker students where it is a challenge just to finish the race, and they still manage to sprint at the finish.

"The race really tests the students' resilience to keep going, and it certainly takes them out of their comfort zone."