Oakbank students climbed their way to the top in a recent inter-school climbing competition.

The competition was held at Leeds climbing wall and Oakbank School's climbing club came away with some impressive wins.

Year Eight pupil Tom Bolger, who is affiliated to the British Junior Climbing Team, won the under 14 men's competition.

The 13-year-old from Oxenhope started climbing after a trip to the Lake District when he was eight.

He enjoyed his first climb so much that when he returned home, he carried on.

He enjoys indoor climbing on the Leeds wall but says: "I like climbing outdoors too, there are some climbs up at Ilkley or Arncliffe and the limestone at Malham and Kilnsey is also good."

He says he trains two or three times a week but is too young as yet to be a full member of the British Junior Climbing team. Instead he is affiliated with the team and wears the club badge at competitions.

Last weekend he won the first round of the British Regional Youth Competition Series and will now go onto the next round in Hull.

Other successful Oakbank climbers include Year Nine pupils Kara Harris - who was first in the under 14 women's competition - and twin Kristina who was third.

The school is keen to encourage climbing and among its staff are enthusiastic climbers. The pupils will have a greater chance to practice when a new climbing wall currently being built is finished at the school.