Chorley Harriers' Junior Presentation at Chorley Cricket Club was held a month earlier than usual so that Lisa Unsworth could attend.

Lisa is Senior Coach Rick Bennett's right hand and helped to organise the evening but this week she has an even more pressing engagement - flying out to the West Indies with fellow Harrier Keith Johnson to get married.

The prize winners were quite happy to get their hand on their trophies early. Under 15 Alison Leonard won the ultimate accolade after being nominated the Athletes Athlete by her peers. Bennett says. "She has a lot of potential, she trains hard, she is tough mentally and she is popular." The Track Athlete of the Year is 15 year old Andrew Thompson who competed in the Stretford Open Meetings for the first time. Although a little daunted at first, he reduced his best time for the 3,000 metres by 30 seconds during the summer.

The Most Improved Athlete was Alison Fowler who has been a club member for only a year. Described by Bennett as "a bubbly girl", she started at the back but has already progressed to be their top cross country runner in the under 13s. She showed her mettle when she missed the start of the Mid Lancs Cross Country meeting at Kendal but fought her way through to 22nd place after starting 300 metres behind. Another recent recruit, under 15 John Horrocks was rewarded for winning the Ryder Fun Run which was recognised as the Performance of the Year.

The club appeals to juniors by holding their own events such as the Fancy Dress Handicap at Christmas, and there is also a Junior Grand Prix where runners can pick up points in the local fun runs. There are bonus points available for competing in cross country races and even for attending training on club night. Fiona Williams and Adam Goulden are the new Champions as 28 girls and 18 boys took part.

Fifteen years after its foundation, the junior section entered a new era three weeks ago when they started to use the new gymnasium at Parklands School. The Harriers have been using Parklands for some years now as it provides an indoor training facility for the youngsters in the winter. The brand new facility is much larger than it's predecessor and is ideal for an expanding club whose junior membership now stands at 60.

Anyone wanting to join Chorley Harriers' Juniors must be at least nine years old. They can just turn up at Parklands on Thursday evenings at 6pm. For further details contact Junior Coach Rick Bennett on 01257-270506 or check the website www.chorleyharriers.co.uk.

Award Winners -- Under 11s: Michael Murray, Michaela Brindle Under 13s: Mark Yates, Jenny Hobbs Under 15s: John Horrocks, Alison Leonard Under 17s: Richard Yates, Caroline Leonard Grand Prix (Boys): 1 Adam Goulden, 2 Mark Yates, 3 Michael Murray Grand Prix (Girls): 1 Fiona Williams, 2 Jeanette Murray, 3 Catherine Goulden.