Children were left close to tears after they won an inter-school athletics competition - but were booed by unsporting parents.

Youngsters from Thomas A Becket Middle School in Worthing were heckled by grown men and women because they scooped the top prize for the 20th year running.

One mother and her young daughter told The Argus how the atmosphere soured when the winners of the five-school contest were announced on Monday.

Speaking anonymously the mother described how a bit of sporting fun “turned adults into children”.

She said: "It was close to the end and everyone thought West Park School had won and we had come second.

"Parents were trying to add up points in their heads and it worked out that West Park would win by around four points.

"But when judges announced the results Thomas A Becket had won and suddenly parents from other schools started booing - it was horrible.

"The children looked visibly upset and shocked and were asking what they'd done wrong.”

She added: "The parents were saying there must have been a mistake adding up or someone was cheating but I don't think anyone was cheating – there would be no reason to.

"I think it sets a really bad example for children if they see adults behave like that – it's just really unpleasant.

"I'm sure they're tired of Thomas Becket winning it year after year but that's not the way to go about it."

The competition takes place every year at Worthing Leisure Centre and has been on the local calendar for more than two decades.

Five schools take part in the indoor games which include relay races, sprints and high jump.

Thomas A Becket school in Glebeside Avenue, Worthing, has won the competition for the past 20 years despite only being 24-years-old.

The young girl from Thomas A Becket, who did not want to be named, said: "I was upset. They announced our name as the winners and then there was just a boo.

"We were upset even though we were supposed to be feeling happy.

"My friends and I were all talking about it and we couldn't understand why that would happen."

Thomas A Becket is known for its sporting achievement and the school gained the 'Activemark Gold Award for excellence in sports.