PENDLE pupils show pedal power at the East Lancashire Primary Schools Cycling final.

Schools from across the area took part in the competition, which was held at the Steven Burke Cycling Hub in Barrowford – and it was two Pendle schools who battled it out for honours.

It was Laneshaw Bridge who just held off borough rivals St Thomas, winning by just two points.

A total of eight schools from Pendle, Burnley, Rossendale and Hyndburn and Ribble Valley all took part in the competition.

The competition fell into two parts – cycling skills and team pursuit races in the morning and individual pursuit in the afternoon.

The skills race involved testing a variety of skills, such as a slalom in between cones, turning sharply and breaking to a stop.

However, it was made all the more difficult as riders were timed and five seconds added for any penalty given by the judges.

The team pursuit races involved the teams of four cycling around the course in a time as fast as possible, developing teamwork and communication skills as the timing stopped when the last rider crossed the line.

The second half of the competition involved individual races for each member of the team against the other schools.

Some fantastic times were achieved, as well as a few near misses.

The times from the four riders were then added together to give a team score, which in turn was added to the other two events to give an overall winner.

And it was Laneshaw Bridge who were the pride of Pendle, finishing on top with 23 points with St Thomas just behind with 21 points.

Salisbury, representing Hyndburn and Ribble Valley, were third with 16 points.

Cherryfold from Burnley were fourth with 15 points and Our Lady’s (Rossendale) fifth with 10 points.

Casterton from Burnley had nine points with St Leonard’s (Hyndburn and Ribble Valley) and St James the Less (Rossendale) both earning seven points.

Paddy Martin, School Games Support Officer at Burnley School Sport Partnership, said: “A massive thank you to Go Sky Ride coach Dylan Clayton for helping run the event.

“And also Thanks also go to the Cycle Sport Pendle Club for providing the venue at the Steven Burke Cycling Hub.”

n Inter Madrassah Organisation Sports Academy, in partnership with Blackburn with Darwen’s Casualty Reduction Team and CAPITA, is offering young people, aged 10 and above, the opportunity to take part in a practical cycle training course.

The course has been organised to take place on Saturday, January 31 and Saturday, February 7 (9am-1pm) at Blackburn Central High School , Haslingden Road, Blackburn Youngsters will take part in a series of cycling activities on the school yard, on quiet public highways, canal tow paths, bridal ways and on cycle tracks.

The aim of the course is to make young people more aware of the responsibilities associated with owning a cycle and to develop the necessary skills required to deal with certain traffic situations.

The wearing of an approved cycle helmet is compulsory while taking part in the course.

Anyone wishing to attend the training course should Contact Najeeb on 07984 369 316 or email register@imosportsacaemy.org to attend.

Places are limited and will be offered on first come first serve basis.