Charlotte Browning of Chichester became the first Sussex winner of the National Under-13s Cross Country Championship at Maiden Castle, Durham.

Charlotte, 12, who recently triumphed in the National Inter Counties Championship, completed 12 months unbeaten in the age group.

She said: "There was snow on parts of the course, but conditions were not bad considering what we have faced this season. But it was very cold and I went out quite fast and found myself on my own.

"No one attempted to come with me and at the finish I was nearly 100m clear of the second girl."

Meanwhile, Claire Smithson, the British international from Hove, has lost her first competition at under-20s.

The Brighton and Hove field athlete suffered a shock defeat in the National Junior Indoor Championships at Birmingham while defending her shot putt title. The Brighton, Hove and Sussex Sixth Form College pupil said: "I have not really been showing good form in the shot putt this winter.

"I have been doing some weights during the winter so I'm much stronger than 12 months ago but my technique has not kept pace with my strength.

"I was asked to compete in an international event next week but I've decided I'd be better off spending the time with my coach Mike Winch doing hard technique training."

Claire led until the fifth round with 12.96m, ten centimetres less than her winning distance last year, before Charlotte Spelzini (Cambridge) won the event with 13.10m.

Gaby Howell, from Steyning, took a silver medal at 400m with 57.03sec despite lacking fitness due to illness. She won her heat and semi-final.

Sarah Tomlins (Horsham) missed the 200m final.

She said: " I was drawn in a tough heat with only the winner going straight through and I was second."

Brighton and Hove's Jenny Bliss reached the semi-finals of the under-17s' 300m on her debut. Her heat time 42.15sec was faster than any Sussex under-17 time recorded outdoors last season.

Charlotte Best (Crawley) won the under-17s' 800m silver medal in 2min.14.05sec, while clubmate Carley Wenham was sixth in the under-15s' 60m in 7.94sec.

Also, Joe Stephenson (Cardinal Newman, Hove) was fourth in the senior 8km race at the recent South East Schools' Inter County at Tunbridge Wells despite losing a shoe in the first 100m. Brighton and Hove clubmate Jack Vail (Brighton, Hove and Sussex Sixth Form College) was sixth to help Sussex finish third in the team event.

County schools champion Sam Webb (Holy Trinity, Crawley) was seventh in the intermediate girls' race.

In the seniors, Krista Cartlidge (Lewes Tertiary) was 11th.