The Ilkla Moor Baht'At Junior Races is a brand new fixture for 2006, and the inaugural event received a boost by being nominated as the first counter in this year's English Junior Fell Championships.

Held at White Wells on the hillside overlooking the town of Ilkley, the venue attracted around 270 enthusiasts including a few who were allowed to run with the under 18s and under 20s.

For years, fell racing has been the preserve of the veteran runner, but nowadays it is attracting the young in increasing numbers.

Just a year ago the Fell Runners Association added a non-championship under 10 class, and it has been such a success that there will be under 8 races at every championship venue this year.

It means that children can have get taste of fell running from the age of six.

Among the pioneers running in this age band were Todmorden Harriers Graham and Rowan O'Sullivan who clocked 5:33 and 6:34 for the half mile circuit.

A second generation of Rossendale Harriers have developed an interest in the sport as Marcus Preedy followed in his father Andrew's footsteps to be fourth under 10 boy.

Rebecca Flanagan matched Marcus to be fourth girl while Faith Biddle took Hyndburn's best position of the day with seventh in the under 12s.

There were championship points at stake for the under 12s and up and Rossendale's Heather Parker opened her account with a fine third place in the under 14s covering the 3.6 kilometres in 21:30.

Phil Bolton was named as England reserve last summer, and now in his second year as an under 16 he will be keen to make a push towards winning his first vest.

The Rossendale Harrier was fifth with 26:20 for the 5.5 kilometres against top class opponents who were competing for the Yorkshire Championship crown.

Club mate Emma Flanagan is better known but has emerged as a genuine under 16 contender with second to Jenny Dybeck from the hosts.

Emma Thompson made Pendle's highest position in the same race with sixth.

l One West Yorkshire fell running favourite that is missing from the calendar this spring is the Bunny Run Series at Keighley which has been cancelled because the pub is not available.

The English Junior and Under 20 Championships continue at the Wrekin in Shropshire on Sunday, April 2.