PUPILS and teachers hit the fells for a school's popular annual event.

The whole of John Ruskin School, Coniston, took part in the secondary school's fell race on Thursday.

The teenagers were also joined by Year Five and Six pupils from Coniston CE Primary School for the event which involved some 150 people in all.

The race covers a challenging course which stretches towards Coniston Old Man and crosses a river.

The event is in its 54th year and in keeping with popular traditional Year 11 pupils wear fancy dress for the fell race.

This year the costumes included bumble bees, bunnies, Superwoman and Wonder Woman.

The first boy home was Ben Edmondson, of Year 10 in 16:26, which was a new record for the course. The first girl home was Lauryn Kirkbride, also of Year 10, in 19:20.

While some enjoy to run the event and go for the best times, others also like to take part as a social event.

The day is also a fundraiser for John Ruskin School's PE department.

Peter Blackburn is the head of John Ruskin School and also the executive head of Coniston CE Primary School while its head Rachel Hindle in on maternity leave.

Mr Blackburn, who took part in the fell race himself, said the traditional event has been going since 1962 and is part of the school's culture.

He said: "It was a fantastic event. Everyone is amazing in the way they support each other.

"We do very well academically, but this event is about building character."

Mr Blackburn said he hopes that the school will be able to open the event up to some more local primary schools in future years.