The Brighton Primary Schools Championships at Withdean Stadium were bigger and better than ever.

Over 1,200 children from 21 primary schools took part in the annual competition which has been run by Dorothy Stringer School for the last three years.

Schools were split into three divisions, based on the number of pupils, and took part in running, throwing and jumping events.

In total, 360 gold, silver and bronze medals were awarded and cups presented to the divisional winners and teams doing best in the jumping, throwing and relay competitions.

Stringer teacher Andy Marchant, who helped organise the event, said: "It was a great day and I think everyone really enjoyed themselves. The event has grown over the last three years and now it is a huge competition.

"A couple of years ago it looked as if schools athletics in the Brighton area had died, but now it is going from strength to strength.

"You just had to look at the number of children taking part and the stand in the stadium which was packed full of supporters."

Patcham Junior School were the winners of the blue division which was made up of the largest schools.

It was the second time Patcham had competed in the event and PE co-ordinator Jane Collins put their success down to a new lunch-time athletics club which has been running since February.

She said: "It was absolutely fantastic. We came fourth last time and missed out on the medals, so we were all really thrilled to win our division.

"Last year we found out about it at the last minute so it took us by surprise and we couldn't prepare properly."

Winner of the intermediate red division was Rudyard Kipling School and St Martins won the green division for smaller sized schools.

Rudyard Kipling were also joint winners of the relay event with Woodingdean to cap a successful day. The event was raced over 60metres for competitors in year four, 70 metres for those in year five and 80 metres for athletes in year six.

Rudyard Kipling head teacher Barbara Shackell said: "To win the division and the relay event was great for the school as a whole and we are all very proud.

"We had been practising a bit more than usual for the competition but I think the main reason we did so well was because we have some naturally talented athletes.

"The competition was very well organised and it gave the children and their parents something to look forward to."

St Lukes Primary School won the throwing event when the boys used cricket balls, and the girls rounders balls.

Carlton Hill were the overall winners of the jumping event, which involved competitors performing a standing jump with their feet together.