ST DOMINIC'S Catholic Primary School have landed an impressive addition to their crowded trophy cabinet.

They have become the Stafford and Stone District Catholic Schools' athletics champions for the first time, to add to their football and cross country trophies in the same region.

The Stone school landed the athletics trophy in a hard-fought final at Rowley Park in Stafford.

St Dominic's had also triumphed in the National Schools' Indoor Rowing Championships earlier this year, winning five titles.

Neil Gilson, the school's sports and development co-ordinator, said rowing training has helped the youngsters achieve in other sports.

He said: "Rowing has created the conditioning work for a whole host of sports in which pupils have improved their performances by between 30 and 50 per cent."

TWO young Stafford athletes delivered commanding performances to capture national track titles at Birmingham's Alexander Stadium.

Fourteen-year-old Eleanor Proud struck gold in the under-15s girls' 100m at the Independent Schools' Association national athletics championships.

Her Stafford Grammar School team-mate Emily Colquhoun, aged 12, was equally impressive in winning the 800m.

The pair were among eight Stafford Grammar pupils who were selected to represent the Midlands after excelling at the regional competition in Leamington Spa.

Middle-distance runner Lewis Ratcliffe, aged 15, was a bronze medalist in the senior boys' 1500m and 800m, while 14-year-old Dan Nowell finished third in the under-15s 1,500m.

Relay team Helen Skilton, Emma Hamplett, Colquhoun and Proud picked up an under-15s silver medal, while Hamplett collected bronze in the 200m.