Hyndburn Athletic Club have drawn an early dividend following a near half million pound investment in the newly re-laid track and other improvements at Wilson Playing Fields, Clayton-le-Moors.

In the first full year since the facility came on-stream, the club won promotion from Division 2NW of the Northern Young Athletes League with three wins and one second place to their credit.

There was recognition for their achievement at the club's recent Presentation Evening at the Accrington Pride Club as they received the Team Trophy.

The senior women were the highest placed East Lancashire club in the Mid Lancs League while it was a season of consolidation for the other squads.

Hyndburn have progressed behind the scenes too with Don Lennon being the North West Regional Winner of the Development Coach of the Year in the inaugural UK Athletics Club Awards.

His daughter Leigh blossomed on the track with silver medals against national competition in the AAAs Indoor Championships and at English Schools.

The 800 metre prospect also moved down a distance to 400m to set a best in the under 15s 400m inaugural ranking list.

Research indicated that Linsey MacDonald bettered her time as a 14 year old in 1978, but that Leigh's 61.35 seconds was the fastest ever for a Briton at 13.

She was presented with the President's Award for her exploits.

Age Group Awards: U11 Girls: 1Lauren Westwell 2 Alex Thistlethwaite 3 Heidi Eaton U13 Boys: 1 Eliot Bailey 2 Daniel Yates 3 Thomas Dewhurst U13 Girls: 1 Katy McKenna/ Zoe Rawcliffe 3 Abbie Dowling U15 Boys: 1 Robbie Schofield 2 Declan Lyons 3 Jonathan English U15 Girls: 1 Leigh Lennon 2 Maisie Bonney 3 Sarah Crossley U17 Male: 1 Damian Rawcliffe 2 Nathan Riding 3 Daniel Martin U17 Female: 1 Heather Donald 2 Sophie Hart 3 Ashleigh Williams Senior Men: 1 Stephen Sumner 2 Nick Rawcliffe 3 Chris Clark Senior Women: 1 Caroline Smithson 2 Vikki Grime 3 Lauren Grime / Nicola Breaks Junior Cross Country: Robbie Schofield, Leigh Lennon Senior Cross Country: Michael Smith Junior Track: Robbie Schofield, Leigh Lennon Senior Track: Stephen Sumner, Caroline Smithson Junior Field: Danny Martin, Sophie Hart Senior Field: Wayne Edmondson/ Mike Grime, Lauren Grime U15 All Rounder: Charlotte Edmondson O15 All Rounder: Heather Donald Team Trophy: Northern Young Athletes League Team Team Spirit Award: Eliot Bailey, Heather Williams Sport's Merit: Nathan Riding, Maisie Bonney Secretary's Award: Nick Rawcliffe Chairperson's Award: Heather Donald President's Award: Leigh Lennon