HAKAN Burton and Laura Briggs were the golden greats in the annual cross country championships after running to individual glory.

Hakan, a pupil at Newchurch, was named overall boys winner after clocking two first places and a second in the three race series.

Crawshawbooth pupil, Laura, had an indentical record -- starting with a second place followed by two wins.

But while Newchurch were 'also rans' in the small school team competition, Laura's cross country feats helped Crawshawbooth win the big school title.

Crawshawbooth also won the girls and boys trophies as they were crowned the top school in Rossendale.

A total of 22 schools and 200 young runners took part in the annual cross country championships spread over three weeks at Marl Pits.

Declan Riley of Crawshawbooth picked up the silver medal after finishing second twice and third while Thomas Atkinson of Waterfoot was in third place overall after finishing sixth, fourth and fifth. In the girls event, Emma Flanagan of Stonefold won the first race and followed up with two runners-up places to take second place overall.

Heather Parker of Waterfoot finished third in all three races to win bronze.

In the team events, Haslingden finished runner-up behind Crawshawbooth in the largeg schools section with Constable Lee in third spot. Stubbins were fourth and Waterfoot fifth.

Other schools to take part were Balladen, Broadway, Newchurch, St John and St Michael and Holy Trinity.

Haslingden St Mary's were small school champions with Rawtenstall St Mary's runners-up.

Stonefold took third place ahead of St Anselms and fifth-placed Water. Other small schools to take part were Northern, Cloughfold, Britannia, Sharneyford, St Saviours, Newchurch and Edgeside.