SCORES of athletes young and old took part in the annual Shortbank Olympics in Skipton on Tuesday to raise money for charity (writes Roger Ingham).

Whether it was in fell-racing, sprinting, cycling or even roller-blading events on the town's Shortbank housing estate, over 150 competitors turned out to raise more than £1,000 for Candlelighters, the charity that fights children's cancer and leukaemia.

New records were established in both senior fell races, with Appletreewick's Ted Mason winning the men's event which takes in the summit of the neighbouring Rombalds Moor.

The Wharfedale Harriers runner capitalised on near-perfect conditions to finish in 18 minutes 47 seconds - trimming 26 seconds off the previous best. But for a typical show-boating home straight - when he girated to the sounds of "Show me the way to Amarillo" - he might well have broken the record.

Skipton Athletics Club's Sarah Glover successfully defended her senior women's title over the same course. She also set a new record, triumphing in 24 mins 6 secs.

Runner-up behind Mason in the men's event was defending champion and previous record-holder Robin Lawrence, of Bingley Harriers. Close behind in third came one of Skipton AC's rising starlets, Harry Coates, who also captured the under-18 award.

Fourth was Clayton-le-Moors runner Simon Thompson. Other top-ten finishers included Skipton AC's Jonny Pawson (seventh and second in the under-18s) and Settle Harrier Ben Lonsdale (eighth). Former winners Stuart Hunn and Lee Athersmith came ninth and tenth respectively.

The over-40s' title went to Paraplegic Olympics gold medalist Mark Brown, of Clayton-le-Moors, while the over-50s award went to club-mate Andy Robinson. Holmefirth's Norman Berry took the over-60s award.

Behind Glover in the women's race came Preston's Katie Nash (second), Ingleton's Samantha Morphet (third and under-18 winner) and Derbyshire's Margaret Jagan.