BASINGSTOKE had great success in the first Hampshire Parallel Games which were held for 250 young people with learning and physical disabilities.

The youngsters were given the chance to compete in athletics, football and basketball at the Aldershot Military Sports Facilities recently.

Basingstoke, represented by Dove House School, won two athletics titles. They came in the moderate learning difficulties, seven to 10 age group and in the severe learning difficulties, over 11 age group.

They also finished second in the football competition for the age group eight to 10.

The following day, over 1,600 young people gathered for the Hampshire Youth Games at the same venue but Basingstoke could not improve on the medal tally.

In the annual Hampshire and Isle of Wight Games at Havant, Basingstoke entries were co-ordinated by Sarah Owens.

In the tennis, there were two mixed pairs organised by Richard Mole, chairman of the Basingstoke Tennis League, and they finished third - the town's best result ever.

In judo, a team put together by Nigel McBrayne of Summit Judo Club came second.

An Excel netball team, run by Kim Simmons, just missed out on third place by a point and had to settle for fourth.

In badminton, Ruth Cairns organised two mixed pairs to take part and they also came fourth.

Colin Godfrey's Basingstoke Swimming Club finished eighth and Ernie Ebdon's organised Loddon Vale Bowling Club came 12th.