Pupils at Downsend School, Leatherhead, were celebrating success after taking part in the South East Regional Schools Biathlon Championships held last weekend.

More than 650 competitors took part from nearly 70 South East England schools in a 500m run (1000m for U13s) and a 50m swim.

Despite the weather, the 37 Downsend biathletes produced some stunning performances, which resulted in 3 Championships titles, 5 Runners Up titles, 5 Bronze Medal positions, 3 more top 6 individual placings and countless personal bests in both the run and the swim.

The Downsend School coaches, Jo Twyman and Marie Seivewright, said: "The weather is always dreadful at this event but this never seems to dampen the spirits of the children and their fantastic parents, who combine to produce a real team effort. We are grateful to them all for their encouragement and enthusiasm, because without their support none of this would happen."

Downsend School are now looking forward to competing in the National Championships in Aldershot in March, both as regional winners, and those who have achieved National qualification on the points ranking system.

South East Regional Schools' Biathlon - Sunday 29th November, K2 Crawley

Year 5 Girls Gold Medal Fastest Run - Megan McCormack Regional Runners Up Year 5 Team - Anya Beri, Christina Georgiou, Megan McCormack Individual Bronze Medal – Anya Beri

Year 5 Boys Regional Runners Up Year 5 Team – Scott Norman, Finlay Savill, George Grassly Individual Bronze Medal – Scott Norman

Year 6 Girls Gold Medal Fastest Run - Carrie Bonnar Regional Team Champions – Antonia Peckham, Carrie Bonnar, Sophie Tamblyn Individual Regional Runner Up – Antonia Peckham 5th Place Plaque – Carrie Bonnar

Year 6 Boys Individual Regional Champion – George Brophy Regional Team Champions – George Brophy, Tom Orr, Matthew Kavanagh Individual Regional Runner Up - Tom Orr Year 7 Girls

Team Bronze Medals – Eve Williams, Rosie Onslow Wyld, Megan McInnes 4th Place Plaque – Eve Williams

Year 7 Boys Individual Bronze Medal – David Webster

Year 8 Boys Regional Runners Up Year 8 Team – Conor McCormack, Caleb Whitefoord, Morgan Savill Individual Bronze Medal – Conor McCormack 4th Place Plaque – Caleb Whitefoord

Annabelle Cole, Charlotte Cole, Annabelle Grant, Kirsten Hume, Jessica Laslett, Genevieve Norris, Natalie Olsen, Zoe Olsen, Ellie Russell, Lara Sibley, Nicole Vanstone, Grace Wackett, Harry Batchelor, Arthur Dunford, James Foster, Charlie Kingsbury, Louis Mason, Tom Richardson all recorded some excellent personal bests in both the run and the swim.