A RACE in memory of a young athlete who died during a swimming trip was given a world class start by one of the North-East's favourite sports stars of yesteryear.

Nearly 20 years after his most famous races, Olympic bronze medallist and London Marathon winner Charlie Spedding set off dozens of primary school runners on a cross country challenge.

He was at Tudhoe Grange School, in Spennymoor, to support children from 11 Spennymoor and Ferryhill schools in their tribute to 13-year-old Anne-Marie Readshaw, who is thought to have suffered an epileptic fit while swimming last September.

Anne-Marie's former school, Tudhoe St Charles RC Primary, near Spennymoor, staged the race, which will become an annual event.

A promising runner, she won trophies running for Shildon Athletic Club and for St Charles, which competes in a Spennymoor and Ferryhill cross country league.

Mr Spedding, who lives near Durham, was at the starting and finishing lines. He presented the overall trophy to St Charles, which also won the boys' race. Ox Close Primary, Spennymoor, won the girls event.