A TEENAGER is celebrating after notching up success after success through her running.

Samantha Hart, 13, of Redcar, has become this year's Cleveland cross country champion, as well as taking the equivalent title for North Yorkshire and South Durham.

Samantha - pictured during a training session on Redcar beach - also came first in the McDonalds' 1500 metres races at Rotherham and Darlington.

A pupil at Ryehills School, Redcar, Samantha runs for Middlesbrough and Cleveland Harriers and is their under- 13 cross country champion.

She only took up running two years ago, when she began secondary school.

Her dream is to compete in the 1500 metres at the English Schools Championships next year.

Her mother, Susan Hart, said: "We are very proud of her. She has achieved so much in such a short space of time.

"I think it came as a surprise to her. It is really unbelievable."