Basildon javelin star Aaron Cramp flexed his muscles for another outstanding year on the athletics scene by continuing his success story in the Essex Championships.

Cramp, a pupil at Woodlands School, triumphed with a winning throw of 49.16m in the under-17 boys' javelin.

He's a member of Basildon Athletics Club and lives at Vange Hill Drive.

There was a whole cluster of athletes from Basildon, Southend and Thurrock battling for outstanding times and distances during the second and third days of the Championships at Garon's Park.

The first day of competition had been at Basildon's Gloucester Park.

Triple jumper Trudi McQuibban was one of the youngsters to produce a memorable display - her 10.20m leap in the under-17 event was an age group record.

On the boys' side, Southend High School's Simon Thomas produced a fine winning junior high jump gold performance with 2.05m.

It was nice to see some of the top local international talent thrilling their fans by competing on the domestic scene.

On this front, Sarah Wilhelmy won the 100m women's title, while Steven Brown produced a victory in the junior men's pole vault.

Dave Condon, the shot putter, has been a Southend favourite for many years but has had a spell away from the seaside air.

However, he marked his return in style by winning the title for the eighth time with a great effort of 16.17m.

There was a one-two-three for local clubs in the under-17 100m hurdles with Basildon's Mathew Colton beating Jamie Pearce (Thurrock Harriers) with James Gahagan (Southend) in third place.

Thurrock's successes included Graeme Garner picking up the superb 100-year-old Atlanta Trophy, presented by Essex President Roger Mills, the former Olympic walker. This was for winning the senior 5000m.

On the rise - Southend's international pole-vaulter Steven Brown was in action at Garon's Park in the Essex Championships

(Right) Going clear - Southend High's Simon Thomas on his way to high jump victory

Pictures: LUAN MARSHALL

Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.