Cockermouth School pupils were celebrating after retaining their British Championship title last weekend.

The youngsters travelled to Sutton Park, near Birmingham to compete in the British Schools Orienteering Championships.

They performed strongly in the category of large secondary school to retain the British title.

It was a great team performance with wins from Isabel Sunley and Alastair Thomas, second places from Rosie Spencer and Oliver Heron-Southward, third places from Carys Thomas and Zac Hudd and fourth places from Lily Regan, Niamh Hunter and Daniel Spencer.

As well as the overall title, there were age class wins for the year 12 boys’ team of Alastair, Zac and Daniel and the year 10 girls’ team of Rosie, Lily and Izzy Greenwood.

There was further success for West Cumbria as the Keswick School team of Caitlin Irving, Jess Breeze and Ellie Douglas took the year 9 girls’ team trophy.

Cockermouth took the overall win with 24 points from Ulverston Victoria High School in second with 28 points and Torquay Grammar third with 33 points.

Closer to home, West Cumberland Orienteering Club took on the challenge of a night-time event on Keltonfell Top near Kirkland.

On the 4.21km, long course, Matthew Vokes again came out on top in an impressive winning time of 23:20 minutes; with junior Daniel Spencer four minutes behind in second and Rob Stein third. First lady home was Niamh Hunter in 11th.

Junior Joseph Sunley had a strong run to take the win on the 2.68km short course, with Mike Harrison second and Roger Thomas third. First lady home was junior Lily Regan in fourth.

Continuing the success of the Sunley family, Isabel Sunley was first on the 1.27km novice course, with mum Janette McHendry second and Jasmine Green third.

Club members also took part in the long distance event at Torver High Common near Coniston last weekend. Herbie Ashworth took the honours for the best club result, taking second on the 2km orange course.

There were top 10 finishes for Andrew Bradley, Mike Billnghurst, Rosie Spencer, Louis Morris, Elizabeth Elliott, Joseph Sunley, Wilf Teasdale and Myrtle Ashworth.

Snow-fall on the Loweswater fells made it tough for the annual long distance event: the Copeland Chase.

WCOC members Steve Birkinshaw and Simon Hunter had strong runs on the long course, taking second and fourth respectively.

Top WCOC finishers on the medium course were John Taylor and Chris Pollitt, in third andfourth while David Spencer beat club mate, Paul Jennings, to the win on the short course with Howard Leslie in fourth.

This week’s night event takes place at Fangs Brow. For further information visit www.wcoc.co.uk