PRACTICE and teamwork added up to victory for young mathematicians with a winning tradition to uphold.

Millie Brown, William Mawer, Toby Broderick and Henry Shepherd handled the pressure well to take Richmond Methodist Primary School to first place in the 24 Challenge.

Each year Richmond School and Sixth Form College invites local primaries to enter a team into the competition for children in Years Five and Six.

The Methodist primary has won for the last three years and once again came out on top followed by Wavell Juniors of Catterick Garrison and Melsonby Methodist Primary in third place, with Richmond CE Primary just three points behind.

Nine schools took part in eight rounds of the challenge in which teams have to reach 24 by adding, subtracting, dividing and multiplying all four numbers on cards put quick-fire in front of them.

Maths teacher Rebecca Collier said: "It's pretty difficult because they have to work quickly to get through as many cards as possible. Some schools run it as a club or practise in maths lessons."

Head of transition Sandra Johnson added: "We love hosting the challenge and it's always very popular with local primary schools. As well as being a good, fun competition it's another opportunity for young children to come into school and become familiar with us before they move up."