THETFORD Athletic Club celebrated a successful year's athletics at their presentation evening and Christmas party at Barnham Village Hall. The fantastic turnout of athletes and their families reflected the current enthusiasm at the club both from the adult and junior sections of the club.

THETFORD Athletic Club celebrated a successful year's athletics at their presentation evening and Christmas party at Barnham Village Hall.

The fantastic turnout of athletes and their families reflected the current enthusiasm at the club both from the adult and junior sections of the club.

The evening began with a slide show featuring athletes in action at many events throughout the year.

The final slide highlighted the fantastic achievement of junior members Ryan Skipp and Georgina Howe in reaching the English Schools Championships in Sheffield in July, and their excellent national rankings in their respective events.

Club coach Gary Howe then hosted the awards ceremony, in which trophies were presented by club chairman Mick Johnson to junior and adult athletes of the year.

Awards were made by the club coaches for each junior age group based on performances during the year, and taking into account enthusiasm, dedication to training, participation and success in competitions.

In the U11 age group, in third place was Alex Darton, with Amy Skipp second and Joseph Nicholson first.

In the U13 Bethan Hassey received the third prize, with Daniel Howe in second place and Grace Humby was awarded first place. With a large number of U15 athletes, girls and boys were awarded separately with Elisha Bowers third, Megan Norry second and Rachel Mumford in first place for the girls, and Jason Higgins third, Will Davies second and Oliver Thompson in first place for the boys.

In the U17 age group, Lucy Tyler was placed third, Jonathon Mead second and Joseph Kirton first. Ryan Skipp, was awarded a well-deserved outstanding junior athlete award, and the junior athletes' athlete award.

Gary congratulated the senior coaches, Audrey Norbury and Richard Dolman, on the success of the senior running group.

Men's section awards went to Tony Cantle in first, second Dean Kirton and third Brian Wright - and in the women's section in first place Rosemary Matlock, second Allison West and third Corrina Smith.

The most improved runner of the year award went to Wendy Paremain and Dean Kirton was voted the senior athletes' athlete of the year.

Thetford AC offers a month's free trial to anyone wishing to try out the sport. Visit www.thetford-ac.co.uk