TOP class performances by pupils saw South Lakeland taking individual and team prizes in the English Fell Running Championships on Sunday.

Around 470 runners from 91 schools across the country competed in the prestigious event, hosted by Giggleswick School at North Ribblesdale Rugby Club with the support of Settle Harriers and Wharfedale Harriers.

The courses provided the perfect challenge for the runners with some extremely testing terrain, beginning in Settle with a brutal climb onto the moors before descending back down to the finish line at the rugby club.

The overall team championship was by Ermysteds Grammar School, Skipton, with Sedbergh School second and Dallam School, Milnthorpe, in third.

In the first race of the day, Kirkbie Kendal's Sarah Smith (14-52) was crowned Year 7 champion as she led home a strong field of girls to beat Charlotte Rawstron (15-02) of St Mary's Menston AC. Sophie Rylance (15-05) was a close third as she led Dallam School to the second team prize behind St Christopher CE High School of Accrington.

And Kirkbie Kendal's Oliver Smith was the best placed local runner in the Year 7 race finishing sixth in 13-37 while Caius Pennington (14-41), of Settlebeck School, Sedbergh, was 12th. Queen Elizabeth School, Kirkby Lonsdale, was second team thanks to the performances of Charlie Barry (18th), Benjamin Livesey (19th) and George Wilby (29th).

Sedbergh School's Fraser Sproul (17-28) blew away the competition in the Years 8/9 race to beat Alexander Thompson, of Ermysteds Grammar School, Skipton, by 20 seconds. Good packing by John Egner (6th), Dylan Edwards (10th) and Ben Greenep (12th) saw Queen Elizabeth School, Kirkby Lonsdale, take the team title ahead of Ermysteds and Lakes School, Troutbeck Bridge.

The girls' race was won by Alice Jones (20-07), of Skipton Girls High School, with Ulverston Victoria High School's Olesia Winder (20-51) chasing hard in second. She was supported by Laura Brown (21st) and Holly Murray (25th) as UVHS finished second team.

Dallam's Rosie Woodhams (29-04) ran powerfully to win the Year 10/11 race with 40 seconds to spare over Emily Field of Ilkley GS.

Luke Bowen (35-37), of the Lakes School, turned in a solid performance to place sixth in the Year 12/13 race which was won by Euan Brennan (33-47) of Giggleswick School. Sedbergh School's Maria Page (43-11) was second girl ahead of Hannah Durkin (43-46) of the Lakes School but behind Robyn Bennett (42-28) of Prudhoe Community High School.