KNUTSFORD Academy student Aimee Pratt claimed a national title at the English Schools’ Track and Field Championships on Saturday afternoon.

She knocked five seconds off her personal best to win the senior girls’ 1,500m steeplechase final in 4:54.90 at Gateshead.

Crowned a county champion last month, the 17-year-old’s success helped Cheshire to secure an age-group victory in the Rotary Cup.

Meanwhile another Academy pupil, Katie Waterworth, missed out on a place in the junior girls’ long jump final after ranking ninth in her qualifying group.

Knutsford runner Ben Lee finished seventh in a high-class junior boys’ 800m final, during which all but one of the participants clocked a national-standard time.

Lee, a member of Vale Royal Athletics Club, had improved his lifetime best to 2:01.41 in Friday’s first heat.

The 14-year-old then crossed the line in 2:01.87 the following day.