KIRKBY Stephen fell runner Paul Brittleton won the INOV-8 seven race series when he triumphed in the last event of the season - the Ayhope Skyline at Hamsterley Forest at Bishop Auckland, writes Mike Addison.

Brittleton, 37, who runs for Helm Hill, beat his nearest challenger, Sid Coxon of Tynedale, to secure the title in the best-five races to count championship. He registered two race wins, a second, a third and a fourth.

A third of the way into the nine-mile race, Brittleton took a nasty tumble when he hit a peat bog and the chasing Andy Henderson went right over the top, trampling him underfoot.

"I was a bit disorientated when I got back into the race and it took me a while to come round," said Brittleton. "But I got into my stride again over the last three miles."

Brittleton won the race by 38 seconds over Coxon to clock 56-48. He came away with £30 in cash, a crate of beer and a pair of INOV-8 trainers.

The Dunnerdale Fell Race takes place from Broughton Mills this Saturday (12 noon start).