A THRILLING finale to the Red Rose Cross Country League season produced a trio of East Lancashrie champions.

Melissa Berry and Rebecca Robinson, from the Park High School club in Colne, were respective winners of the under 13 and under 17 age groups while Blackburn Harrier Rachel Searson took the under 15 class at Marl Pits, Rawtenstall.

Robinson, who is at the bottom age of the under 17s, decimated the field for her first victory of the season.

Burnley's Danielle Walker dropped out with illness after the first climb leaving Rebecca to snatch the series by a single point after Bury's Jess Simons could manage only fourth.

Park High School had never won a race in this league before this season, but now they can boast two champions.

Melissa Berry went into the last under 13 race knowing that both she and Jade Flynn from Moston needed to win to secure the title. Berry rose to the occasion while her rival crumbled.

Chloe Ingham of Burnley came through for second with Flynn just seventh.

For Blackburn's Searson it was plain sailing as she won for the third time since finishing second in the opener at Bury.

With the best three results counting, it gave her a perfect score and a winning margin of four points from Rossendale Harrier Emma Flanagan.

To complete a clean sweep of women's titles for East Lancs runners, fell champion Rachael Thompson won the senior title and Clayton's Anna Kelly became veteran champion.

On the day the first three seniors were all veterans, over 50s Vanessa Peacock and Maureen Laney were second and third for Clayton.

Linda Clarkson of Darwen Dashers and Christine Leathley of Clayton were the over 35 and over 55 winners in the series, although the final results are subject to scrutiny.

Burnley's Sue Burns has been missed from the final results but may well be declared the over 45 winner in due course.

Daniel Westgate of Burnley won his second under 13 race of the season, but having only run twice was not placed overall.

Rossendale Harrier Dominic Walton and Blackburn's Ben McKenna were second and third, both on the day and in the series, helping their respective clubs to first and second in the team standings.

Dale won three team titles over the season with the under 17 men and under 15 girls completing the hat trick.

Phil Bolton was the key to the under 17's victory as he won the final race on his home ground. Blackburn Harriers were team champions in the under 13 girls' section and took three second places including the senior men where Tom Cornthwaite was the individual winner.

Tom had to settle for second behind English Fell Champion Rob Hope who was running as a guest.

Mark Aspinall was third senior over the season and was first veteran on all four occasions.

Mark's club, Clayton Harriers, were veteran team champions in both the men and women's divisions as Phil Hall, Dave Scott and Ted Orrell took the honours in the M40, M60 and M65s. Rossendale Harrier Steve Duxbury was first in the over 50s.