WITH the track and field season almost over, athletes are turning their attentions to 'open' meetings.

Three local clubs have hosted fixtures recently with the Hyndburn meeting at Wilson's on Bank Holiday Monday being followed by the Pendle club's event at Seedhill last Sunday.

In an interesting variation, Burnley AC attracted nearly 40 athletes to their first ever Jumps Night at Barden on Wednesday.

For Hyndburn Athletic Club, their meeting has added importance as it raises the club's profile. The outdated track at Wilson's means that no league fixtures are staged there, and when the Open Meeting was revived two years ago it was their first hosting of a track and field event for three years.

The facilities issue has blighted the club in the past, but now there are plans in place for an upgrade, the club will prove to be worthy tenants. Hyndburn have enjoyed a wonderful season blitzing their way to promotion in the Young Athletes League with four wins out of four in Division Two North West. They have also been our premier club in the Mid Lancs League Division One with the women second and the men fifth.

Club spokesman Mike Grime, while singling out under 13 Robbie Schofield and under 15 Leigh Lennon, for praise said: "The under 17 women have performed magnificently in all leagues."

Under 17 runner Caroline Smithson was in 200m action at Pendle, where she finished second to Chorley AC's Kelly Hilton.

In the Hyndburn meeting, Caroline won the 100m/200m double.

For the Pendle Senior Men's team, the season is still alive as, together with near neighbours Blackburn Harriers, they have qualified for the play-off final in the Northern Men's League. The Grand Finale is on Saturday with promotion to Division One the prize.

At the Pendle Open Meeting, the team was in dress rehearsal mode and Leeroy Golding demonstrated his form with three victories in the 200m, long jump and triple jump.

Michael Hunt scored a middle distance double by taking the 800m and 1500m, while Nick Taylor in the 100m and Frankie Vargacz in the 400m hurdles gained confidence boosting wins. As the men reach the play-offs for the second consecutive season, the women have consolidated in Division One.

Their undoubted star this year has been Laura Finucane who maintained her phenomenal progress in the 800m with fifth in the IAAF World Youth Championships in July.

The Jumps Night at Burnley looks set to become an annual event following the positive feedback from the first staging. It was inspired by the fact that there are not many pole vaulting events around - apart from in the leagues - and nine vaulters took part, including seven women.

Of the locals, Abigail Ewart from the home club was the top performer, winning the under 15 class with 1.80 metres.

Former Burnley athlete Amy Leeming cleared 1.20m while Hyndburn under 17s Nicola Breaks and Claire Mitchell achieved 1.15m.

Meanwhile Burnley over 50 veteran John Edwards went over the bar at 2.20m. Burnley's Young Athletes have won promotion this year and while Danielle Walker has starred for club and country, throws coach Mick Linaker points out that his charges have made a large contribution too.

Under 15 Ben Murray has won all his hammer competitions, and under 17 javelin throwers Martin Wall and Alexis Walker have become county champions as Martin has improved from 32 to 38 metres. outright to Rochdale's Wajib Ali, taking the veteran title.

Derek Schofield and Ken Taylor from Rossendale won M50 and M55 honours with Darwen Dasher Don Ashton and Clayton's Lawrence Sullivan respective winners in the M60 and M65 divisions.