A Bedale schoolgirl was crowned the best distance runner in North Yorkshire when she scooped a cross-country championship.

Katy Kitching, from Well, became the North Yorkshire County Cross Country Minor Girls Champion in the County Championships held last weekend at Risedale Sport and Community College.

Along with Francesca Dinsdale (13th) and Matthew Tew 12th in the Junior Boys, Katy, a Year 7 pupil at Bedale High School, will be representing the county in a race on February 5 at Hexham against Durham, Cumbria, Cleveland and Northumberland.

Other runners from Bedale High School were Hannah Bowe (20th), Aisha Najafi (22nd), Hannah Najafi (21st) and William Armstrong (29th).

Matthew Libera, who won the Hambleton & Richmondshire Area trials, was unable to run due to injury but may be able to represent the county as a guest at Hexham.

Team manager Martyn Coombs said: “Katy ran an exceptional race from the front from start to finish. She is a wonderful talent and her style is so effortless.

“Matthew Tew running in his first season as a junior against boys a year older than himself did remarkably well to qualify for the county team.

“On a tough course he dug in well to cement 12th position and his place in the North Yorkshire team. All the runners from Bedale High School did themselves proud.”