HORWICH RMI Harrier Nick Leigh pipped team-mate Sam Wardle to win the 12th annual Hendersons End Fell Race.

The race, which is organised by Lostock AC and raises funds for Bolton Mountain Rescue, is a tough 7.5-mile course with 1,400 feet of ascent which starts at Rivington Hall Barn and visits Rivington Pike, Two Lads, and a high point almost, but not quite, at the Mast.

It then heads back to the Pike for a second time before descending back to the Barn.

It is a no-frills local midweek summer fell race, where people turn up, register, and pay £4 to compete.

This year 104 runners braved the hot conditions and the midges and once again it was well attended by local running clubs Horwich RMI Harriers and Burnden Road Runners.

Behind Leigh and Wardle was Richard Smith, from Preston Harriers, in third place.

The first woman home was Deborah Gowans, from Accrington RR, ahead of Burnden's Paula Pilling in second and Tara Robb, from Clayton, in third.

Race organiser Mark Shuttleworth said: "Lostock AC and myself would like to thank inov-8 for once again sponsoring the race with the first male and female receiving a voucher for a pair of inov-8 running shoes.

"Also thanks to Bolton Mountain Rescue, who were on station providing safety cover for the race, Pete Bland Sports for supplying the race numbers, United Utilities and Woodland Trust for granting permission for the race to route over their land and all the marshals and volunteers who helped to put this event on.

"It was a great Lostock AC team effort."