Carmel College, Darlington, has made a dream start to the athletics season.

First they qualified for Nothern Regional A finals of the National Schools Athletic Cup by winning the North-East area round last month and now the Junior Girls have stormed to victory in the A final, becoming the first Darlington school to qualify for the national final.

In the A final the runners, jumpers and throwers produced outstanding performances breaking 14 school records in the process. The Junior girls (year 7 and 8) finished first in their competition and therefore qualify for the National finals to be held in Southampton in July. They will compete against 11 other schools for the national championships. Their points score of 370 would have won the event in 2001 and placed them fourth last year.

Mrs E Hannaford, Head of PE, said: "We are very proud of the winning teams and all the other Carmel athletes who performed so well.

"I am sure they will do their best in the final and also in the Darlington Town Sports."

The boys teams also did well, finishing third in the Junior Boys and fourth in the Intermediate (year nine and ten) boys.