Meadowhall Shopping Centre has awarded its first gold, silver and bronze medals of the summer following the inaugural 'Shopping Heptathlon', which was hosted in the Centre in celebration of team GB's Olympic efforts.

Five of the country's top 'fash-aletes', selected by the Shopping Centre's from a host of applications took part in seven stylish challenges designed to test shopper's stamina, speed and strategy from the shop floor to the fitting room.

A representative from the Centre's Retail Athletics Sports Science division was on hand to ensure that each of the seven events was held in concordance with the industry standards as shoppers burned over 500 calories scoping out retailers' top bargains, carrying the heaviest bags and racing down the aisles in stiletto heels.

Recruitment Consultant Hannah Demary-Thompson, 26 from Doncaster, clinched the gold medal after impressing the panel with her expert skills in the retail arena; leaving her fellow competitors behind in the fitting room challenge and coming up trumps with the most creative wedding present.

Hannah said: "As soon as I heard about the event, I knew I'd be perfect for it. I spend most weekends shopping, and even upped my training schedule this week by hitting the sales in preparation for the day. I couldn't believe it when they announced that I had won!"

Hannah was awarded hundreds of pounds worth of prizes from some of the Centre's top retailers including Fat Face, Republic, House of Fraser, Marks and Spencer and No.7 at Boots as well as the first even gold for a Shopping Heptathon.

She added "Serious shopping takes real stamina and skill, and I think it's about time that Retail Athletics was given the recognition it truly deserves from the official Olympic Committee."

The event, which took place a week ahead of the official Olympic opening ceremony in London was held as part of a national campaign, spearheaded by Meadowhall Shopping Centre to see Retail Athletics recognised as an official sport for the 2016 Olympics in Rio De Janiero. The campaign included a successful online petition and promotion in Meadowhall to encourage shopper to lend their signature to the cause.

Meadowhall Marketing Director and chief adjudicator of the Shopping Heptathlon event Richard Pinfold said: "With the Olympic opening ceremony just around the corner, and the hopes of the nation pinned on some of the country's finest athletes, we thought what better way to celebrate the city's sporting credentials than to put our best shoppers to the test!

"I'd like to thank the hundreds of shoppers who applied to take part, as well as our retailers Fat Face, Debenhams, Republic and House of Fraser who provided us with some first class prizes for our deserving winners."