THE ANNUAL Sportshall Athletics competition run by Windermere St Annes School this week produced an amazing 18 new competition records from among more than 250 children taking part.

Jamie Quarry, Sport Development Director at WSA, said: "This year's standard of athletics has been absolutely fantastic.

"Schools have worked hard in preparation for this event and athletes have really raised the bar in terms of producing outstanding performances.

"Sportshall Athletics is one of the fastest growing sports programmes in the world. It is an ideal starting-point for many youngsters, which is usually their first taste of competitive athletics."

Ghyllside and Keswick took the Year 6 and Year 8 titles respectively after coming through at heat winners, both with the highest-ever team total scores.

Sixteen schools - eight primary and eight secondary - took part in the competition, involving qualifying heats and culminating in a grand final.

The specially designed events ranged from standing jump, speed bounce and chest pushes to flat, hurdle races and relay races.

Ghyllside (1034 points) set six of the eight records set in Year 6 with impressive performances from Alice Bowler and Jessica Hodsman.

Windermere Juniors (992pts) were runners-up with Elleray (935) and St Wilfred's (917) all recording higher scores than in qualifying.

Keswick (1139 points), for whom twins Laura and Kate Valliant were record-setters, won an exciting Year 8 competition from Windermere St Annes (1084), with Queen Elizabeth School (1062) and Queen Katherine (1053) very close together in third and fourth.

New records: Year 6 Girls: Standing long Jump - Alice Bowler (Ghyllside) 2.05m; Standing vertical jump - Alice Bowler (Ghyllside) 50cm; Speed bounce (20sec) - Jessica Hodsman (Ghyllside) 56 bounces; Chest push (1kg) Zarah Dixon (Ghyllside) 7.40m.

Year 6 Boys: Standing long jump - Dean Hartley (Ghyllside) 2.15m. Speed bounce (20 sec) - Jake Lowther (Ghyllside).

Year 8 Girls: Standing long jump - Laura Valliant (Keswick) 2.12m. Standing triple jump - Holly Nelson (WSA) 7.28m. Standing vertical jump - Claire Cronk (Dallam) 48cm; Speed bounce (20 sec) - Kate Valliant (Keswick) 60; Javelin - Natasha Wooley (Keswick) 22.00m Year 8 Boys: Standing triple Jump - Oliver Blackburn (QES) 7.04m; Speed bounce - Dean Robinson (Keswick) 59; Chest push (2kg) - Robert Bowyer (WSA) 9.40m.