YOUNG athletes from across Teesdale have been battling it out during an inter-schools cross-country race.

Eleven schools took part in the 13th annual Teesdale Primary Schools Cross Country event held on a 2km course in the grounds of Barnard Castle School.

Teams were fielded by Barnard Castle Preparatory School, Butterknowle School, Cockfield School, Cotherstone School, Gainford CE School, Hamsterley Junior and Infant School, Ingleton CE School, Middleton-in-Teesdale School, Startforth Morritt School, Woodland School and Montalbo School.

All of the 91 competitors were awarded points for their finishing position with their individual performances counting towards team orders.

Barnard Castle Preparatory School's Freddy McBain, ten, of Houghton-le-Side, took the honours, helping his team win the overall first place.

All runners were awarded a certificate for taking part in the event and every team was presented with a trophy.

The teams then competed in the dining room to see who could clear their plates the quickest during a post-race sausage and chips teatime treat.

Barnard Castle Preparatory School headteacher Ted Haslam said: "Weather conditions were perfect for running and I was delighted that all the competitors managed to finish the race.

"It is really important that our children enjoy being as active as possible and I'm pleased to say that the annual cross-country event is proving as popular as ever."

First runners home for each school were: James Wilson, Butterknowle; Freddie McBain, Barnard Castle; Matthew Hodgson, Cockfield; Ben Sartin, Cotherstone; Niall Brown, Gainford; Reece Tarren, Hamsterley; Lucinda Elliott, Ingleton; Richard Wearmouth, Middleton; Ben Goodfellow, Montalbo; Chris Ridgway, Startforth; Joe Hall, Woodland.