POWYS have been crowned Inter Counties Primary School Orienteering champions.

More than 70 children aged between seven and 11 from Powys, Gwynedd and Ceredigion took on the course at the popular Hafren Forest near Llanidloes last month.

The initiative was organised by Mid Wales Orienteering Club with local authority Sports Development Sports Units assisting.

The older age group saw Carreghofa’s Matthew Benson and Charlie Owen beat schoolmates Jack Tinney and Cameron Smart to top spot with a time of 17.59 over 3.2km.

Carreghofa’s Finlay Dixon and Hobie Bell-Tomkinson won the 2.1km shorter course in 13.31 with Trewern’s Josh Williams and Elliot Turner second in 15.29 and Llanidloes’ Lowri Williams and Layla Jones third in 15.40.

The combined results clinched Powys the overall county shield.

Katie Hamer-Grew of Sport Powys said: “The participants really enjoyed the experience and Powys schools did extremely well.

“The event would not happen if it was not for the club volunteers involved.

“It is hoped that the young orienteers will now go on to join Mid Wales Orienteering Club in the future.”