Biathletes from Chatham House Grammar School in Ramsgate will represent the south east in the national finals at Bath University in March.

Determined performances in swimming and cross country running in the regional finals at Sevenoaks won them the right to take on the best young athletes from around the UK.

The Year 8 junior boys’ team of Jake Davies (13), Alex Kirkpatrick (13) and Ben Pond (12) were runners up which secured them a place in the nationals.

Sixth former Sam Giffen, 18, from Broadstairs, competed as an individual in the senior boys, finishing second, which should secure him a place in the Bath tournament.

Three senior girls from Year 12 – Rachael Seaman, Grace Fright and Lacey Palmer – gained first place in the team event.

Head teacher John Mathews said: "Representing the south east in the national finals is a great achievement. The biathlon is a punishing event and our students have excelled so far and have earned the right to challenge the best in the UK."