SETTLE Harriers have achieved the prestigious Clubmark award – the community sports club accreditation which recognises high standards – from England Athletics.

Club chairman Alex Pilkington said: “For us it is the culmination of a couple of years of hard work, developing policies, plans and providing training for coaches and running assistants.

"We are delighted to be gaining the accreditation.”

Settle Harriers, whose members are predominantly involved in fell running, have a thriving junior section and more than 200 members across all ages.

The club have developed their coaching structure over the last few years so that it now has three event specialist coaches, three Level Two coaches and ten leaders in running fitness, all helping youngsters aged from eight upwards to discover a love of running and develop their skills.

It also has a popular club championship, which this season involved up to 40 children taking part in races all over the north of England.

The club’s dedication is also paying dividends with notable individual successes.

Settle Harriers’ Level Two coach Mike Egner was recently crowned both the Fell Runners' Association male veteran 60 national champion and the British Open Fell Runners' Association (BOFRA) male veteran 60 champion.

UK Athletics representative Nick Settle presented the Clubmark award at junior training last week.

He said: “Settle Harriers have worked hard to achieve this standard.

"It is a real bonus to the community to have such a top-quality sports club in its area.”

Settle Harriers juniors meet on Tuesdays at Eshtons in Giggleswick.

Anyone interested in joining in should contact Andy Evans by email at juniors@settleharriers.org.