TEENAGERS have volunteered to ensure the smooth-running of a sporting event in their home city.

More than 20 students from Framwellgate School Durham will play a vital role in the second annual Prince Bishops Durham City Run on Wednesday, July 19.

Youngsters aged 15 and 16 will undertake a range of roles, such as marshalling at the finishing line, ensuring that 2,500 participants in the 5k and 10k runs, and thousands of spectators, have an enjoyable race-day.

Alisdair Nicholas, headteacher at Framwellgate School, said the school was delighted to be working alongside Olympic medallist Steve Cram, who is organising the event.

He said: "Supporting such an ambassador for sport in the North East is a great way for our students to mix with some top athletes in their home city, and be an integral part of a major event.

"All of the students are super excited.”

To show his appreciation, Cram has agreed to open the school’s new state-of-the-art sports facility in September.

Mr Nicholas added: “We are also thrilled that Steve will be our guest of honour at the opening of our brand new £2.2m sports hall on September 20.”

Steve Cram said: “Volunteers play an absolutely essential role in supporting our experienced events team and allowing large-scale sporting events of this kind to be staged.

"Events of the North has a brilliant core team of volunteers, also boosted by some cadets from the army and police and fire services this year.

"We are really grateful to all of the volunteers who help out at our events and I know that our runners really appreciate them too.”