Students from Shaftesbury, Whitmore and Kingsley High Schools lifted the trophy at the Westway Sports Centre after overcoming defending champions Croydon, Newham, and first-time finalists Enfield and Islington.

Harrow finished first in boccia, table cricket and athletics relay races as well as taking four second-place finishes in the multi-sport event to secure the trophy for the first time.

Shaftesbury School teacher Adam Kielczyk said: "It's great, its taken four years but we got there.

"Finishing second or third in the past was brilliant, but first is amazing.

"The children have loved it, there are loads of smiling faces.

"I think this is the biggest achievement for them."

Four-time world champion and former Paralympic champion swimmer Liz Johnson attended the event and hailed the impact it has had on participants.

The team from the London Borough of Harrow have been crowned the London Panathlon champions for the first time

"It's been a great day, the kids loved it and it was so competitive." she said.

"As regional winners already, they all really wanted to win the big one.

"Their skills have developed, their application, they've learned so much clearly.

"I definitely saw a big difference today.

"Panathlon allows people who would never be able to access sport to do so.

"I think sport can teach you so much and empower you in other walks of life and everyone deserves that right."

Panathlon is a charity which gives provides around 3,000 young disabled children the opportunity to take part in competitive multi-sports competitions every year, particularly in London and the South East.

Star of Channel Four's Paralympic coverage Alex Brooker, who was also in attendance at the event, said: "It's been brilliant, Panathlon shows that you don't need to be a Paralympian to do sport if you're disabled.

"That's why it's so important.

"People need to see that there are disabled people doing sport at all levels."

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