Enfield has been crowned London champions at a sporting event for young people with disabilities last Wednesday.

Nearly 200 children from all over London took part in the Panathlon at Copper Box Arena.

The event stages hundreds of swimming, boccia, football and ten-pin bowling competitions for over 17,500 young people with disabilities and special needs across England and Wales every year.

Enfield – represented by Westlea and Waverley Schools – beat three-time winners Barking and Dagenham by a matter of meters in the concluding athletics race to take home gold medals.

Valerie Harnett, team manager and teacher at Westlea School, said: “I am the proudest teacher in the world today.

“I didn’t think I would ever see these guys win here and I am so, so pleased to see them do it. They have tried so, so hard and after seven years we’ve done it.

“I just love them to bits and I’m so pleased for them. Everybody is part of the team, the staff, the parents included. I’m a bit teary and overwhelmed. If I never do a Panathlon as a manager again I will know I left today with a victory. It means so much.”

Marshall Agorhoulihan, 15, a Westlea School pupil, said: “It feels great, I’m so happy. We’ve worked so hard. I am just blown away. I never thought we would win but we took the victory and it feels amazing. I’m going to hang this medal on my wall at home and look at it all night.”