WIRRAL Sports Development Unit, in partnership with Wirral Athletics Club, Wallasey Athletic Club and the Education Department, hosted its sixth annual Sports Hall Athletics Events at The Oval, Old Chester Road, Bebington.

More than 600 children from 24 primary schools took part, each school being required to select a boys and girls team consisting of a minimum of 16 and a maximum of 24 competitors from Years 5 and 6 to form their squad.

Event organiser Lawrence Kay, of Wirral Sports Development, said: "It was an exciting and closely fought event, and the attitude of participants, teachers and parents was excellent.

"It was obvious from the high standards of performance that the teachers at the respective schools have worked hard to develop the children's skills required for this type of event."

Lawrence added: "We hope that the enjoyment that the youngsters clearly found with Sports Hall Athletics will spur them on to stay involved with athletics in the future."

Wirral will again take a representative team from the best performing children in both track and field from the schools involved in all events to the regional final in Wigan on Sunday, November 21. The 30 athletes chosen, along with nine reserves, are training for the event at Bebington High Specialist Sports College, under the guidance of Mr M. Roberts, a teacher at Sacred Heart Primary.