British climbers showed their climbing prowess as they battled it out at the PlanetFear British Lead Climbing Championships at Blackpool Climbing Towers over the weekend of 24-25 May.

Gareth Parry, from Bury, retained his title in the men’s senior championship but was pushed all the way by Dave Barrans and Drew Haigh. With seven-time champion Lucy Creamer helping to organise the event rather than taking part this year, the women’s senior was an open field. The title was taken by Audrey Seguy, from London.

In the final of the male junior category there was a nail biting super-final between Jonathan Stocking and Luke Tilley, which Jonathan topped out on to become the only competitor with a 100% success rate in the event. In the female junior category Shauna Coxsey took the title for the second year running to confirm her status as one of Britain’s very best up and coming young competitors.

Strong winds held off the rain and spectators were able to enjoy fantastic displays of climbing at the event organised by the British Mountaineering Council (BMC) in conjunction with Blackpool Council. Tony Ryan of the BMC said: “We’ve seen some real talent this weekend which bodes well for the British Climbing Team as it competes internationally this season and in the future.  We’re now gearing up for the next national competitions – the final of the BMC Youth Climbing Series in Edinburgh on 28th June and then the BMC British Bouldering Championships on the weekend of 12/13th July at the Cliffhanger outdoors festival in Sheffield.”

To see a report of Saturday's junior and veteran categories see here.

To see a report of Sunday's senior categories see here.

A press pack is available here.

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