WUTHERING Heights above Haworth may well be famous as the inspiration for the literary deeds of the Bronte sisters, but for local athletics supporters, the title triumph of Skipton Athletics Club's Mary Wilkinson at Sunday's Yorkshire Senior Fell Race Championships was a story-book performance in its own righ.

For in winning the tough and undulating seven-mile Withins Skyline Race, the 20-year-old put to the sword no less than five internationals, including two who were representing England in the World Cup in Italy only a few weeks ago.

The race was, in essence, an open event, hence the presence of many out-of-county entrants, with the Yorkshire championships incorporated within it.

But the composition of the field mattered little to Wilkinson, who beat everyone in storming to victory in one of the fastest times ever recorded for the race - 50 mins 11 seconds.

Only the runner-up, Keswick's Louise Sharpe, recent winner of England's highest mountain race up and down Scafell, was able to offer any kind of challenge as she finished 20 seconds adrift.

Next two runners home were England's World Cup representatives Tracy Ambler (Ilkley Harriers), who won this year's Ben Nevis race, and Pauline Munro (Bingley Harriers), who collected silver and bronze in the Yorkshire event, but were still well behind the winner.

Then came another England international, Cononley's Bingley Harrier, Helen Johnson, followed home by Danish international Hilde Kayen.

Already the proud possessor of a string of county titles, this new title took her tally of multi-sport triumphs to seven.

Her effort also brought Skipton AC its first county senior title.