MULTI Olympic and Commonwealth Games medal winner Nick Gillingham visited the region to launch a joint school sports event involving more than 500 pupils.
Mr Gillingham officially opened the Darlington Community Games at the Eastbourne Sports Complex today (Thursday, September 11).
The event saw children from 20 primary schools across the town compete in a variety of sports as part of the Darlington School Games programme.
Cricket, hockey and football were among the more traditional games taking place, alongside less well-known sports such as new age kurling, street swords and tri-golf.
Mr Gillingham, a double Olympic medallist swimmer and former World, European and Commonwealth Champion, spent several hours at the event talking to the children and encouraging their efforts after officially launching the event.
The Darlington School Games programme is an initiative designed to get more youngsters into competitive sport and living healthier, more active lives.
In preparation for the games, pupils have taken part in more than 120 hours of coaching provided by local sports coaches and the Darlington Move More Team.
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