AND then there were five.

That is the number of students from mid Cheshire that remain in contention to win a medal at the English Schools' Track and Field Championships after the first day of competition in Birmingham on Friday.

Holly Weedall, from Weaverham High School, laid a marker when she won the opening heat of the junior girls' 1,500m.

She established a huge lead after an aggressive start and did not need to maintain that pace to cross the line first in 4:41.91.

Ominously for her rivals, the Vale Royal Athletics Club member has run much faster this season.

Ruby Vinton, representing Suffolk, took victory in the second heat in an identical time.

Weedall was third in last year's final, racing against older rivals, and is expected to challenge for a podium position again.

Former Weaverham High School pupil George Hyde, now studying at Sir John Deane's College, targets a fourth medal at the annual event when he contests the senior boys' shot on Saturday.

He claimed the inter boys' title in 2016 before repeating the trick 12 months later and was a was runner-up last summer after moving into the next age-group category.

Also in the field, The Grange School's Evie Tipping takes part in the inter girls' hammer.

Sir John Deane's duo Emily Lowery (senior girls' 1,500m) and Holly Smith (senior girls' 3,000m) both contest finals on Saturday in categories that did not require a qualifying round.

Northwich Guardian: Vale Royal Athletics Club's eight-strong contingent in Cheshire's team for the English Schools' Track and Field Championships at Alexander Stadium in Birmingham this weekend. Picture: Vale Royal AC/FacebookVale Royal Athletics Club's eight-strong contingent in Cheshire's team for the English Schools' Track and Field Championships at Alexander Stadium in Birmingham this weekend. Picture: Vale Royal AC/Facebook

There was valuable experience of national competition gained by other athletes on Friday.

Hermione Mason (Hartford Church of England High School) was fifth in her junior girls' 75m hurdles heat, timing 11.96s, which was not enough to progress.

Alex Doyle (Sir John Deane's College) classified seventh in the first senior boys' 1,500m heat, while St Nicholas RC High School's Patrick Griffith ranked sixth in the second junior boys' 800m preliminary.

There was mixed fortunes for three other Vale Royal members competing in Cheshire's black and gold.

Ben Lee (Knutsford Academy) was victor in his senior boy's 800m heat to secure a spot in Saturday's final, but Raif Serif (inter boys' 1,500m) and Jake Wilson (junior boys' 1,500m) were both eliminated.

Here is everything you need to know about the second day of the 89th English Schools' Track and Field Championships:

When?

Tomorrow, Saturday, July 13 (from 10am)

Where?

Alexander Stadium, Birmingham

Which names should I look out for?

Saturday

1015 Inter girls' hammer final

Evie Tipping (The Grange School)

1121 Senior girls' 3,000m final

Holly Smith (Sir John Deane's College)

1200 Senior boys' shot final

George Hyde (Sir John Deane's College)

1502 Junior girls' 1,500m final

Holly Weedall (Weaverham High School)

1530 Senior girls' 1,500m final

Emily Lowery (Sir John Deane's College)

1707 Senior boys' 800m final

Ben Lee (Knutsford Academy)

Can I watch the action online?

Yes, you can.

Vinco Sports are providing a live stream on both days. It's here.