FOUR young South Lakeland fell runners were part of an England team that won gold in every age category at the home internationals at the weekend.

The Home Countries International was part of the British and Irish Junior Mountain Championships, which were held in Peebles in the Scottish Borders.

Scarlett Dale, from Hutton Roof won the women's U20s race, while Helm Hill's Imogen Burrow came fifth.

Chris Richards, also of Helm Hill, came fifth in the men's U20s, improving on his seventh place finish in last year's event in Keswick.

Rosie Woodham, from Dallam, came second in the women's U17 race.

The whole team's collective efforts ensured that England came out on top overall in the men's U20s and U17s, as well as the women's races in the same categories.

England manager Duncan Richards said: "It was a very tough course, they all did very well.

"It was an out and back course with some very big, undulating climbs. The was a very steep climb that the U20s had to do twice. We're talking pulling on the grass with your hands steep.

"It was a roller coaster route that was very up and down. It was very tough on the legs.

"We are very pleased with them all. We have a very strong team at the moment, and quite a few of them are from Cumbria.

"We have a very strong programme, and that is coming off well as we have lots of good young runners coming up through camps.

Yorkshire always have strong runners as well. Typically, there are always strong Scottish and Welsh teams too, but this year England were the best."

Scarlett Dale's win capped a great season in which she finished seventh in the World Championships and 6th in the European Championships.

Chris Richards also ran in the World and European Championships this year.