IT was a case of quality and quantity at the annual David Staff Memorial Fell Race.

For there was a bumper turn-out for the Darwen Dashers organised race - but this year it was made up of more top fell runners rather than fun runners.

A total of 166 runners turned up for the race in memory of David Staff who tragically, and suddenly, died at the age of just 17.

Now in its seventh year, the five mile race attracted runners from across the North West.

And while the majority of the individual honours went to runners from outside of East Lancashire, host club Darwen Dashers had plenty to cheer about after winning the ladies team prize.

For it was Zoe Haslam, who was second lady, Jaqueline Shaw (7th lady) and Sue Duckworth (10th lady) who guided the Dashers ladies to glory.

But it was Todmorden Harrier George Ehrhardt who set the pace and crossed the line in 33.26 -- nearly 30 seconds ahead of Marc Laithwaite of Achilles Ratti.

Former Darwen Dasher Richard Thomas was third in his best time of 34.12 running for Eryri Harriers.

And Darwener Brian Cole, running for Royal Navy AC, was fifth in 34.52.

Shane Fitzpatrick of Clayton Harriers was sixth in 35.09 while Andrew Smith was the first Darwen Dasher home in 18th spot in 38.06.

RESULTS -- TOP 10: 1 George Ehrhardt Tod Harriers 33.26, 2 Marc Laithwaite Achilles Ratti 33.55, 3 Richard Thomas Eryri Harriers 34.12, 4 Danny Hope Pudsey/Bramley 34.45, 5 Brian Cole Royal Navy AC 34.52, 6 Shane Fitzpatrick Clayton 35.09, 7 Chris Seddon Horwich RMI Harriers 35.71, 8 Lloyd Kellett Keighley/Craven 35.43, 9 Rob Jackson Horwich RMI Harriers 35.49, 10 Tony Smith St Helens/Sutton 36.05.

MALE JUNIOR: 13 Matthew Lang Bolton United Harriers 37.01, FEMALE: 32 Helen Johnson Bingley Harriers 39.54, MV40: 19 Colin Urmston 38.24, MV45: 20 Tim Hargreaves Stockport Harriers 38.27, MV50: 15 Tony Hesketh Horwich RMI Harriers 37.19, MV55: 63 Geoff Fielding Rossendale Harriers 43.42, MV60: 55 Don Ashton Darwen Dashers 42.36, FV40: 124 Janet Chaplin Chorley Harriers 50.56, FV45: 88 Jill Robinson Garstang Running Club 46.51, FV60: 163 Maureen Roberts Darwen Dashers 1.16.21

CLUBS (TOP 5) -- DARWEN DASHERS: 18 Andrew Smith 38.06, 31 Derek Ashcroft 39.51, 33 Dave Naughton 40.11, 34 Julian Donnelly 40.17,47 Eric Wilson 41.40.

CLAYTON HARRIERS: 6 Shane Fitzpatrick 35.09, 16 Mark Theaker 37.30, 17 Paul Thompson 37.51, 25 Will Sullivan 39.14, 29 Mark Nutter 39.43.

ROSSENDALE HARRIERS: 14 Steve Clawson 37.14, 24 Gary Sumner 39.13, 68 Geoff Fielding 43.42, 74 Saul Taylor 45.12. ACCRINGTON ROAD RUNNERS: 11 John Wieczorek 36.18, 23 Brent Hoggan 39.05, David Gaskill 40.54.

WEST PENNINE RUNNERS: 68 Neil Holding 44.33, 92 Pete James 47.25, 164 Ken Sibbering 1.16.21. CHORLEY HARRIERS: 60 Peter Starkey 43.32, 99 Eddie Pugh 48,25103 Dawn Atkins 48.45, 116 Janet Chaplin 50.56, 121 Marie Alcroft 52.07, 122 Andy Lowe 52.19.