AFTER the final round of the Northern Men's League matches last weekend, all five of our local clubs are involved in promotion or relegation issues.

Fourth Division Burnley AC and Chorley AC of Division 3 have both clinched promotion by winning their leagues, but for Blackburn Harriers the job has not been completed despite winning the Division 2NW Championship.

The region's premier track and field club face the winners and runners up from the four regional leagues for two promotion places to a First Division that covers the whole of the north.

Pendle AC and Rossendale Harriers both reached their highest ever level with last year's promotions, but couldn't consolidate their new found status. Pendle will revert to Division 3 next year while Rossendale drop to Division 4.

At Bebbington on the Wirrall, Blackburn Harriers won again with a team performance that was strong in all areas.

Throwers, jumpers, hurdlers and middle distance runners all recorded victories -- and there was even a win for the 4x100m relay team of John Paul Clements, Ags Odudu, Mark Birchall and Chris Perry. Glen Garrett and Rob Barton earned maximum points in the 800m and Rob completed a double with a win in the 1500m. Mark Birchall took the long jump, John Paul Clements and Ags Odudu won both 110m hurdles races, the latter in a PB, and there was a PB for Mark Haydock who added 2 metres to his previous best in the hammer. Mark was second in the hammer, but was a winner in the shot while veteran Mike Hazlewood won the 'B' javelin. The promotion play off match is on September 9th at Cleckheaton. Burnley spokesman Dave Goodwin described Colin Bailey as " the supreme athlete" after the club's latest win at Trafford brought them promotion. The versatile multi-eventer rings the changes but is guaranteed to score heavily no matter which events he contests. At Trafford he won the 110m hurdles and 400m hurdles and was second in the pole vault. As an under 17, Colin is also a member of the squad which won promotion in the Young Athletes League. Other double promotion winners include Owen Woodward, Peter Thompson and Andrew Jenkins. Owen won the B string long jump and triple jump events on Saturday, Peter was a winner in the 'B' sprint hurdles and Chris Green took first in the 400m 'A' race.

Chorley Athletic Club have earned back to back promotions by developing young talent and aquiring new members. Matthew Harrington who trains at Blackburn is a fast developing sprinter who is still under 20. James Rodin is that most precious breed -- a multi-eventer who can compete in a wide range of events.

He holds the club record for the 110m hurdles at 17 seconds. Martin Baxter is a field eventer who was a Lancashire junior champion in shot and discus. Martin has recently rejoined the club. Local athletes will know Terry Dickenson the Chorley Millennium GP organiser and now son Peter is developing his own reputation. Still an under 17, he competes in 800m and 1500m and has lowered his PB at each meeting this year.

Promoted with Chorley last year, Rossendale face the drop after Saturday's match at the Horsfall Stadium in Bradford. The club has lacked the strength in depth to compete at this leve -- but at least they now have a pole vaulter. Phil Gaffey joined the club in time for the final fixture. Chris White has also returned after deciding that a life in the army isn't for him. Chris was second in the 800m, lending valuable support to the day's three winners. Anthony Gotts won the 400m, Nick Hatchard the 800m and Jimmy Foster the javelin. Pendle made a stronger showing to finish in a competitive 4th in their Division 2 match at Trafford, but after finishing last at home earlier in the season they are consigned to relegation. Keith Kong was their only winner, taking the 'B' long jump with a leap of 5.41m while Aaron Wilson was second in the 'A' string with 5.81m in the team's best event. Like Aaron, Frankie Vargacz took three top three places, his best being 2nd in the pole vault 'B', and Mike Hunt was 2nd in the 400m 'B'. The team managed 10 thirds including both relays.