MAYFIELD School are celebrating after winning team and individual awards at the Inter Special Schools cross country championships.

Gary Black was first around the one mile circuit to win the under 16s competition which also helped the school to the team prize.

And there was joy for East Lancashire schools in the popular Open event with David Kay of Tor View in Haslingden finished second while Gary Hurles of host school White Ash in Oswaldtwistle was third.

Gary's impressive display on the longer two mile course helped White Ash to third place in the team event and it followed up his second place finish in last year's competition.

The event has now been running for three years and this year attracted more schools and runners than before.

A total of eight schoosl from across the region took part included host school White Ash, Tor View and Mayfield and The Loyne from Lancaster, The Coppice from Preston and Tor View from Nelson.

Elms Bank from Bury and Firwood from Bolton also took part for the first time.

The under 16s race attracted 28 runners.

Gary Black of Mayfield was first with Ben Jackson of Coppice finishing as runner-up.

Mark Simpson of Elmsbank was in third position.

And the three schools took the teams awards as well but with Elmsbank finished in second place behind Mayfield with The Coppice in third place.

The Open event attracted 41 runners with Arthur Brown of Elmsbank crossing the line first.

David Kay of Tor View was second with Gary Hurles in third place.

Preston school Coppice took first place in team award with Mayfield in second place while Anthony Wilson and Colin Partington joined Gary to help White Ash in to third place.

The competition was held to encourage and promote sport for children with physcial and learning difficulties.

All the schools are expecting to take part in a swimming gala organised by Townhouse School in November.