TWO promising young athletes from Northallerton have both been placed among the cream of British talent in their age group in the latest UK national rankings.

Anna Kirby and Tyrone Crow, who both run for Middlesbrough club Mandale Harriers, produced excellent performances during the 2001 track season while both were pupils at the Allertonshire school in their home town.

Anna is ranked 13th in the country in the U15 girls 800m category with a best time of 2m 16.17s, while Tyrone is tenth in the U15 boys 400m with a time of 52.78s.

During the 2001 season, Anna was the area schools and North Yorkshire schools 800m champion, won silver medals in the Yorkshire championships 800m and 1500m and in the Northern championships 800m and finished sixth in the English schools 800m final at Exeter.

Tyrone was the area schools 400m champion, won a bronze medal for the distance at the Yorkshire championships and finished fourth in the Junior AAA championships.

He only failed to reach the English schools final because of a disqualification for stepping outside his lane in the qualifying heat. If his heat time of 51.9s had been allowed to stand, he would have been placed fourth in the UK rankings.

Anna's father David Kirby said: "It is a remarkable coincidence that a small market town like Northallerton should produce two athletes of UK standard at the same time."

Both youngsters, who celebrated their 15th birthdays in September and now attend Northallerton college, are looking forward to continuing their athletics next season in the U17 age group.