FOR the first time in almost two years children from West Dorset primary schools were given the opportunity to compete in the Area Cross-Country races.

As they have done for the past three years, Parrett and Axe and St Catherine's dominated the final results.

Beaminster Secondary School played host and the event took place in glorious sunshine although the ground was very muddy after heavy rain the previous week.

It was fantastic to see children running, having fun and supporting each other and hopefully this is the springboard for future events to return to the calendar.

The Year 3 and 4 girls race started the event and it was the eventual winner, Evlyn from St Catherine's that went out in front from the start and never looked back, crossing the line ahead of Parrett & Axe's Florence Peters and Poppy Boot from Burton Bradstock.

The Year 3 and 4 boys race went much the same way with two runners, with Parrett & Axe's Freddie Penn and Kieran from St Catherine's leading the way and battling hard with the latter taking the win and schoolmate Rohan taking third place.

The Year 5 and 6 girls race was won convincingly by Evelyn Scriven of Loders who led all the way from the start. She was chased hard by Parrett & Axe duo Finnia Lyon-Wilson and Anna Wheeler.

The final race between the Year 5 and 6 boys proved to be the most competitive with Harry from St Catherine's and Harry Kemp of Parrett & Axe vying for first place.

In the end it came down to a sprint finish with the St Catherine's athlete winning and schoolmate Oscar in third.

Meanwhile, a new award was presented to Parrett & Axe as the winning team overall with all the points from each of the four races added together.