LEIGH Harriers girls will step up into top flight league athletics next year.

The squad lifted the Young Athletes' Division Two title at their first attempt after winning their third match at Oldham on Sunday.

The team scored a crushing victory amassing 357 points -- 40 ahead of their nearest rivals to finish the league four points clear.

The senior girls achieved 150 points boosted by a winning double from Adele Swanton in the 3000m and 300m hurdles.

Lizzy Heaton had a 1-2-3 in the B 3000m, 300m hurdles and 300m, while Amanda Fearnley was runner-up in both the 1500m and 800m and third in the 80m hurdles.

Field eventer Laura Morris won the B discus and was second in the javelin and third in the shot.

Trio of thirds

Jemma Mercer took the 80m hurdles B race and was third in the discus and fourth in the 100m.

Yasmin Foulds lifted the B shot, second in the 1500m and third in the long jump while Emma Tonge had a trio of thirds in the javelin, long jump and 800m.

For the U15s Rebecca Howarth ran a national standard in the 800m in second place as did Gemma Farley in the 1500m. Abbey Baxendale was second in the B 1500m.

In the sprints Kellie Thornton and Clare Thompson were third and fourth in the 100m and Clare took second in the 75m hurdles.

Other results were Louise Boardman 200m 4th, Kate Leighton 200mB 2nd, Emma Morris 800m B 3rd and javelin 3rd.

The U13 squad gained five national standards through Chloe Brown (shot 7.63m), Stephanie Orrell (75m 11.2 and 150m 21.8), Lauren Howarth (800m 2.34.8) and Hannah Warburton (1200m 4.23.5).

Other points came from Joy Orrell (hurdles), Zoe Campbell (1200m), Abigail Howarth (800m and shot) and Sally Boardman (150m).