SCORES of budding athletes took part in an inter-schools cross-country event at Skipton's Aireville School last Saturday.

Approximately 250 pupils from 11 local schools took part in what was the Aireville School Sports Partnership's first major event. Competitors were split into four different age groups and were cheered on by over 300 spectators.

Seven different schools provided winners in individual categories, with St Stephen's Primary School and Settle Middle School each winning three team awards.

The Aireville School Sports Partnership, which includes 42 local schools, was set up last September to help secondary schools combine with their cluster primary schools to provide more sports opportunities for pupils.

Partnership development manager Rebecca Walters said: "It was great to see so many young people at Aireville School taking part in the cross country event. It has been well organised by the team from Aireville School and Caroline Moorhouse, the school sports coordinator for the Skipton cluster of primary schools.

"This is an excellent example of the Aireville Partnership working directly with schools to raise awareness and develop a greater physical activity-based culture."