SPRINTER Mark Berridge was in top form at the South of England Indoor Championships at the weekend, claiming the area title in the 400metres.

The Basingstoke and Mid Hants man travelled to Lee Valley for the championships and enjoyed an excellent day, winning his heat in 50.53sec, his semi-final in 49.85sec and the final in 49.51sec.

He was joined in the final by clubmate Jonathan Elderfield, who finished fourth in 50.13sec, having qualified for the final by finishing third in first his heat and then his semi-final.

Another two Basingstoke athletes competed in the 800m, but both Martin Broderick and Peter Watkeys failed to reach the final. Watkeys went closer, coming third in his heat, while Broderick was fifth in his.

Other members of the Down Grange club were in action at the England Indoor Combined Events Championships at Sheffield earlier this month.

Ben Hazell came fourth in the men’s heptathlon with 5,155points, while Sam Sleap was eighth, amassing 5,023pts and recording personal bests in the 60m, 1,000m and 60m hurdles.

Oliver Tresise recorded five lifetime bests on his way to 11th place in the under-20 heptathlon, beating his previous marks in the 1,000m, high jump, pole vault and shot to record a new personal best tally of 4,038pts.

Emma Buckett was sixth in the women’s pentathlon, in a new personal best score of 3,900pts.