THE clocks went forward, the sun shone, and Pendle AC held their annual open meeting as a pipe-opener to the track season.

Spring had arrived, and over 300 athletes converged on the picturesque Seedhill track to test the results of their winter training schedules. To add to the atmosphere of change, members of the host club were sporting brand new kit, having been presented with a large consignment of vests and sweatshirts from new sponsors Robert McBride of Burnley.

The meeting attracted entrants from as far afield as Hull, Sheffield, Kendal and Southport, but there was also plenty of local talent on show including Pendle's own Lee McCash, winner in both the 800m and 1500m, and 13-year-old Simon Bissell of Burnley who, it has just been announced, is top of the national rankings for the discus in his age group.

On Sunday, he won both the shot and the discus. Andrew Charleworth from Hyndburn is clearly one of the most versatile athletes around, he completed the unusual winning double of 100m and shot, and also finished second in 1500m.

Six other locals were double winners, throwers Vicky Haydock (Pendle) and Simon Pollard (Hyndburn), jumper Colin Bailey (Burnley), Pendle sprinters Nick Taylor and Chris White and David Lowe (Hyndburn), who was first in both the 800m and long jump. Park High School have already competed in several track events this season, including a trip to a wet and chilly Trafford. Consequently, their athletes are looking sharper than many and at Seedhill there were some notable performances. Kirk Lee, an 800-metre specialist, stepped down and ran PB's in the 200m and 400m, winning the latter. Jennifer Tunstall beat her PB by 1.6 seconds as she took a fighting victory in the 300m and Louise Dickinson won the 200m and was beaten into second only by 0.1 second in the 100m.

Results (locals in top three) - Blackburn Harriers - Under 15 Girls: Samantha White (200m 3rd). Under 17 Men: John Clements (100m 3rd, long jump 2nd).

Burnley AC - Under 11 Girls: Danielle Walker (800m 1st). Under 15 Girls: Jennifer Haven (high jump 1st). Under 15 Boys: Simon Bissell (discus 1st, shot 1st), Robert Moore (800m 3rd). Under 17 Men: Colin Bailey (400m 3rd, long jump 1st, high jump 1st). Senior Women: Dianne Kershaw (300m hurdles 2nd). Senior Men: David Bailey (high jump 3rd), John Linaker (400m 1st, discus 3rd), Shaun Windle (100m 3rd, 200m 3rd).

Clayton Harriers - Senior Men: Tony Chew (1500m 2nd).

Hyndburn AC - Under 11 Girls: Joanne McVey (800m 3rd). Under 13 Girls: Nicola Barnes (1500m 3rd), Charlotte Baron (shot 2nd), Anna Brooks (800m 1st), Anna Griffiths (long jump 3rd). Under 13 Boys: Liam Mullen (shot 3rd), Andrew Charlesworth (100m 1st, 1500m 2nd shot 1st). Under 15 Girls: Amanda Lowe (discus 3rd, shot 2nd), Claire Mullen (800m 1st). Under 15 Boys: Mark Griffiths (100m 1st, discus 2nd, shot 3rd), David Lowe (100m 3rd, 800m 1st, long jump 1st). Under 17 Women: Karen Brooks (800m 2nd), Rebecca Haworth (100m 3rd). Under 17 Men: Matthew Anderton (800m 3rd), Karl Emmett (discus 2nd, shot 2nd), Simon Pollard (high jump 2nd discus 1st, shot 1st).

Park High School - Under 13 Girls: Charlotte Bickerstaffe (1500m 2nd), Louise Dickinson (100m 2nd, 200m 1st). Under 17 Women: Jennifer Tunstall (300m 1st). Under 17 Men: Kirk Lee (400m 1st).

Pendle AC - Under 11 Girls: Alex Chew (long jump 3rd), Eleanor Markendale (75m 3rd), Kirsty Threlfall (75m 2nd, long jump 2nd), Kate Walker (800m 2nd). Under 11 Boys: Damen Ams (800m 3rd), Jack Chew (long jump 2nd), Sam Crabtree (75m 1st). Under 13 Boys: Peter Archer (200m 3rd), Joshua Scott (100m 3rd), Matthew Chorley (long jump 3rd), Chris Monks (800m 3rd). Under 15 Girls: Lisa Ashworth (200m 2nd), Kate Franzke (discus 2nd, shot 1st), Sarah Lund (shot 3rd). Under 15 Boys: David Riley (1500m 1st), James Robinson (200m 1st, discus 3rd, shot 2nd). Under 17 Women: Lisa Cockerill (high jump 3rd), Laura Griffiths (300m hurdles 3rd), Charlene Halliday (300m 3rd), Vicky Haydock (discus 1st, shot 1st). Senior Women: Deborah Lund (discus 1st, shot 2nd), Laura White (long jump 2nd, high jump 1st). Senior Men: Tony Balko (100m 2nd, 200m 2nd), Lee McCash (800m 1st, 1500m 1st), Patrick Weeks (long jump 1st), Chris White (100m 1st, 200m 1st).

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.