By Kirsty Hough

Halstead has some of the best orienteers in Britain, after a group of intrepid youngsters clinched gold in a national event.

Ten children from St Andrew’s Primary School in Halstead took part in the British Schools Score Course Orienteering Championships at Cobham Common in Surrey.

The competitors have 45 minutes to plan a journey to collect as many controls – stamps at checkpoints – as possible.

If they finish outside of this time they are penalised and lose five points per minute.

Thomas Martin, of Mitchell Avenue, won the Year Six boys’ individual title against 34 others, collecting 15 controls in 32 minutes.

His mum, Katie, said: “He was individual second at this champs last year so has improved.

“It’s a hard task.

“They have to have accurate navigation, confidence, fitness and sensible decision making so that they don’t go over the time.”

Oliver Prince was second in the Year Five boys’ individual category, while St Andrews won the girls’ primary and boys’ primary team event as well.