Months of practice and determination culminated together in three spectacular finals at the Spring Cumbria School Games at Penrith Leisure Centre.

More than 430 children from schools across the county took part in the event which was organised by Cumbria County Council’s Active Cumbria team.

The schools were involved in tag rugby, sportshall athletics and gymnastics competitions.

In the gymnastics finals, which comprised of six competitions for ranges of ability and school size, 32 young leaders from Carlisle’s Caldew School supported the event.

Lindal and Marton Primary School took the trophy for both Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2 in the small schools’ competitions for team Furness, while Selside School won for team South Lakes in Key Stage 3.

There was an electric atmosphere for the sportshall athletics final which was supported by 10 young leaders from Lakes College, west Cumbria, who officiated and judged the competition.

Brigham’s Bethan Lishman, team captain for Deaflympics GB, came to inspire the youngsters taking part.

She said: “It was great to be at the County finals.

"It’s such an energetic event that Active Cumbria organises. It was amazing to see the talent of Cumbria first-hand and, most importantly, all having fun.

“Well done to everyone who competed and don’t forget ‘there is no such thing as can’t. Don’t let anything hold you back - an I can attitude will take you a long way.'”

Yarlside Academy were the overall winners of the sportshall athletics.

Pupils from Trinity School and James Rennie School in Carlisle along with those from Sedbergh’s Settlebeck School and Cockermouth School took part in the tag rugby at the event which took place at last Wednesday and Thursday’s event.

An excellent game was played by all teams involved and there were smiles all-round from the students taking part.

Liam Nicholls, Rugby Union Development Officer at Rugby Football Union, said: “The MLD/SLD tag rugby event is a great event which brings together multiple programmes we deliver.

“A key target of the RFU is to bring the game to new audiences and provide a positive experience. This festival allows us to do that while developing our young volunteers who volunteer in clubs.

"Thank you to all partners for providing the platform to deliver this event and we hope to create a sustainable link with clubs going forward.”

Active Cumbria’s operations manager Richard Johnston said: “It’s wonderful to see all the children taking part in the activities over the last two days.

“The hard work put in by Cumbria Schools Gymnastics Association and the local School Games Organisers was evident throughout and the whole competition was exciting, making for an enjoyable two days.”

Points from all of the Cumbria School Games events are accumulated and overall Cumbria School Games district winners are announced at the multi-sport festival on July 11 in Carlisle.