HUNDREDS of cyclists of all ages and abilities got in the saddle to take part in a regional cyclo-cross championship.

The grounds of Longfield Academy were transformed into a muddy off-road bike track as the Cyclo-Cross North-East (CXNE) series descended on Darlington.

Almost 300 competitors took on the 1.3mile course, which featured gruelling terrain, including sandpits, grassy tracks and hurdles.

The inaugural Darlington Schools Championship kicked off the event, with a team from Longfield beating off competition from Polam Hall School, Carmel College and Darlington School of Mathematics and Science to win the overall CXNE trophy.

Sam Murray, a Year 8 pupil at Longfield, took home the individual title in the boys’ competition, while Carmel College student Sally Abbot was victorious in the girls’ race.

Tony Fawcett, from Stanley, in County Durham, won the senior men’s race while the fastest female was Nicola Davies of Beacon Wheelers, in Penrith.

James Raw, faculty leader in sport and performing arts at the school said: “It was an absolutely fantastic day – the kids were high as kites afterwards.

“We have had coaching from British Cycling and the students have loved it. It is a new sport for them and hopefully this is going to be an annual event.”

Organiser Keith Murray said his team is hoping to organise a floodlit cycle race at the school next month.

He appealed for any businesses who could supply a lighting tower to get in touch at keith.murray@scott-sports.uk.com