EXTRA practice has paid off for a team of young cross country runners.

The year eight girls' team from Wensleydale School, in Leyburn, won the Hambleton and Richmondshire area competition at Allertonshire School, Northallerton, recently.

Head of PE Lee Wasden said: "It's the first time we've ever won the competition - it's a great achievement.

"They've been doing as much running in PE lessons as possible and they've also been practising during lunchtime.

"The more cross country you do, the fitter and better you get."

Tom Osborn beat about 70 other pupils to come first in the year eight individual race.

Tom also won the race last year and has run for North Yorkshire.