THE English Junior Fell Championships are shaping up after the second and third rounds were held on successive weekends.

The series takes in six venues over the summer months and each athlete can count their four best scores towards their final total.

Following the opener at the Wrekin in Shropshire, there was a two month break until the High Rigg at Keswick then the Lothersdale near Skipton marked the half-way point.

With the series due to visit our area in July for the Pendle race, seven East Lancashire runners from three clubs currently occupy medal positions.

Anna Anderson from Pendle AC has put herself in a prime position in the under 18 girls' series after back to back victories at Keswick and Skipton.

Officially, she is third having missed the first round, but that won't count against her if she can do two of the last three rounds.

Rossendale Harrier Emma Flanagan is second in the under 16s but is 10 points behind April Stephenson of Horwich who has beaten her in all three rounds, but Laura Park from Ellenborough looms large, winning twice after missing the opener.

Blackburn Harrier Rachel Searson could also come into the equation but missed Lothersdale to compete for her club in the Young Athletes League.

Consistent Beckie Taylor has finished third for Blackburn in all three under 14 races to lie third overall too, while Emma Spencer, from Pendle, has an outside chance of a medal in this division.

The youngest championship age group is the under 12s, where Blackburn's Sally Searson is tied for third although she has missed one race.

All the main local contenders are from Rossendale Harriers in the boys' championships, with Joe Johnston maybe their best hope as he shares the lead in the under 14s with Tom Doyle from Helm Hill.

Johnston started with a bang with first and second places, but disappointingly could only manage eighth at Skipton.

England International Joe Kelly is two points behind Alex Till of Dallam in the under 16 standings and has just beaten his rival for the first time.

Now in the under 18s, Phil Bolton is also in second spot, but Grant Cunliffe, fifth from one race less, could be a threat.