SUSAN Jones, UK high jump record-holder and Commonwealth Games silver medallist was the guest at Windermere St Anne's School's first Invitational Athletics Festival for schools from the North of England at Salt Ayre Stadium in Lancaster.

Jones (pictured above with the major medal-winners) took time out from her Olympic Games preparations to support the event.

In the Under-11s, Mowden Hall (Northumbria) displayed strength in depth to run out comfortable winners in both the boys and girls competitions.

There was a hat-trick of victories for both Yannick Debil (boys - 200m, 55m hurdles & high jump) and Leila Reid (girls - 80m, 200m & cricket ball throw). Second-placed Elleray Preparatory School had individual victories from Richard Flint and Abbey Rogers (600m), Sophie Hicks (shot) and arguably the best Under-11 performance of the afternoon by Xavier Labat (cricket ball throw), who won the event by 12 metres.

In the Under-13 boys competition only two points separated the winners, Lancaster Royal Grammar School and the Lakes School, Windermere, in second place. Ripley St. Thomas (Lancaster), Kirkbie Kendal and Mowden Hall filled the next three places.

The Under-13 girls competition was an even closer event, one point separating winners Mowden Hall and Ripley St. Thomas. WSA were third and Heysham School, Kirkbie Kendal B, Kirkbie Kendal A and The Lakes School completed the line up. The Under-13 combined team event went to Ripley St. Thomas from Mowden Hall.