Newham pupils came away with a nine medal haul from the Essex Schools' Athletics Championships after a very long day at the Blackshots track in Thurrock.

On a blazing hot day, the Newham youngsters matched the heat with their sizzling performances, to the delight of team manager Caroline Charles.

“I was very happy with the Newham pupils performances, after their long day in the scorching sun, to be breaking records! Just shows what the pupils in Newham have to offer," said Charles.

St Bonaventure's pupil Elliel Assande won silver in the inter boys' 100m in 10.94secs, breaking the national record for his age group, and Lister's Nathan Graham took junior 100m gold, breaking the Essex record in the heats and national record in the final with 11.36.

St Bons' Tendrin Obay won gold in the inter boys' 200m, with an Essex record in the heats and national record in the final with 22.17, as Forest Gate's Sanjay Sanders took inter 400m bronze.

Alisha Akejo, of St Angela's, won silver in the inter girls' 100m as Skye Okasi won bronze in the 300m.

Kingsford pupil Nero Da Silva won triple jump silver for the inter girls, while Laureen Okoghenu took gold in the hammer with 41.49m.

And Prayer Williams, from Royal Docks, won silver in the junior girls' discus with 24.78m to complete the haul.

A total of 13 teams took part in the event, with Newham fifth in the inter boys' (year 10-11), ninth in the inter girls, 10th in the junior boys' (year 8-9) and 12th in the junior girls.

"The young people of Newham were helped to the Championships by Newham Schools Sport Association, who look like they will fold soon due to financial hardships," added Charles.

"Newham School Sports Association has been helping pupils from Newham for decades. Also the staff who supervised and organised the Newham team, Ms Charles, Mr Agass, Mr Wright, Mr Arthur and coach Sedge from Newham & Essex Beagles.

"Without their presence the athletes would not have been able to compete."