Youngsters from eight Yorkshire schools were taking part in their own version of the game at the famous Leeds stadium.

The pupils, who all have special needs, were competing in this year's regional heats of the Lord's Taverners National Table Cricket event.

Among them were children from Bruntcliffe High in Morley. One of their star performers was Haleena Hussain, who scored 22 runs off her six balls.

"The children get a real buzz from coming here and taking part," said Jane Blanchflower, a learning support assistant at the school. "It's great for them to meet the children from the other schools and there's a really good atmosphere here."

In the national tournament, over 400 disabled and special needs children compete in small teams. Using converted table tennis tables, each student faces six deliveries and can score runs by hitting the ball to the boundary, while two opposing team members act as fielders.

Cheering on the pupils at Headingley was Chris Chittell, who has played Eric Pollard in Emmerdale for the past 22 years.

"It's a tremendous event," said Chris, who plays for the TV soap's cricket side and is a member of The Lord's Taverners. "The great thing is, there's a real competitive spirit among the children, which is great."

Bruntcliffe were the overall winners and qualified for the national final at Lord's in June.

Other schools taking part included Ralph Thoresby High in Holt Park, John Jamieson School - part of the East Leeds Specialist Inclusive Learning Centre - Oakfield Park in Pontefract, Ravenscliffe High in Halifax and Beckfoot in Bingley.

The Lord's Taverners is a charity which helps young people take part in sport.