CHILDREN at Antrobus St Mark’s C of E Primary School continue to be top of the class in athletics.

For the third year in a row, the school’s youngsters have qualified to represent Vale Royal in the county finals of the Small Schools Sportshall Athletics Competition.

They did so thanks to achieving first place in their schools cluster event held at Weaverham High School.

“This was a competition for Years 5 and 6 but we have over 50 per cent of our squad in Year 4,” said Rhian Perry, acting headteacher.

“I was so proud of the children and we are delighted to have been awarded first place.

“We will now be representing Vale Royal in the county finals in March at the Ellesmere Port Sports Village.

“This will be the third consecutive year that we have done this and we are so proud to be able to represent our area.”

Sportshall athletics is said to engage more than one million children across the country annually.

Endorsed by England Athletics, the sportshall programme provides the ideal format to introduce youngsters to grassroots athletics and multi-skills competition.

This indoor form of track and field for children between the ages of four and 16 places emphasis on fun team-based activity.

It was created by George Bunner MBE in the 1970s to provide a safe and warm environment for young athletes to train during the cold and dark winter months.