HUNDREDS of pupils from primary schools across Darlington are going for gold in an Olympic challenge.

A new Community Games event is to be held in the town for the first time - aimed at encouraging children to play more sport.

The festival features competitions in a range of sports including volleyball, netball, tag rugby, football and cricket.

"This is a great opportunity for these children to take part in competitive sport and represent the area where they go to school", said Chris McEwan, the cabinet member for children's services at Darlington Borough Council, which is organising the event with the Zone Active Project.

The games are held at Eastbourne Sports Complex on Wednesday July 25, and are open to pupils from the Northgate, Lascelles, Eastbourne and Park East areas of Darlington.

The area which wins the most points at the end of the day goes home with the gold medal.

Around 650 children aged seven to 11 are expected to take part. The Olympiad will even feature an opening ceremony and closing ceremony with pupils wearing coloured T-shirts to represent their ward.

Other events include a climbing competition and demonstrations of new sports boccia, kurling, table cricket and zone hockey.

In the run up to the competition, pupils have been receiving coaching at after-school clubs and performance camps so they can practice their skills.

To ensure the children stay active after the event, sporting equipment will be donated to Harrowgate Hill, North Road and Corporation Road schools and training will be offered to teachers who want to learn more about the activities.

And representatives from local sports clubs will be at the games to give advice to children wanting to continue their sporting careers.

"Like the Olympics, the Community Games is about more than just winning a medal", said Coun McEwan.

"It is about giving these children the chance to try new sports, receive training and hopefully continue taking part after the event."