THE Burnley and Pendle heat of this year's Lancashire Maths Challenge District Finals took place at Habergham High School, Burnley.

A packed audience of parents, teachers and supporters watched as teams from six local schools took part in an exciting and interesting competition - ending with a nail biting tie-breaker.

This year all the questions for the district finals were based on an Olympics theme.

Sponsored by Lancashire County Developments (LCDL), the competition involves all 88 secondary schools in Lancashire and will culminate in a grand final held in June at the Woodlands Centre, in Chorley.

County councillor, Wendy Dwyer, was on hand to congratulate the teams and present the prizes. All the competitors are winners, having competed earlier in the school based first round.

The results from the first district final were Edge End High School, Nelson, taking first place; second was Park High School, Colne, and third was Habergham High School, Burnley.

Coun Dwyer said: "I was delighted to be able to attend the Burnley and Pendle heat of this popular competition. They call it the Lancashire Maths Challenge and it is certainly that!

"We see encouraging young people to strive for excellence in maths as both important and worthwhile and this competition also helps us achieve our aims of making Lancashire a place where people can learn and develop."