AN athletics series which will see thousands of primary school children go head to head has been launched in County Durham.

The annual Dash! is back to help youngsters in the county participate in sport.

The Durham Dash! and Sedgefield Dash! will see 7-11 year-olds compete in events, building up to two finals nights in June.

The initiative has a new title sponsor with the Warrens Group, a food recycling firm.

Event director Mark Blackbourne said: “It’s a great way to promote and showcase primary school athletics and encourage more kids to be more active more often.

"Year after year, we’ve seen the project grow, with some fantastic engagement from local schools and vital support from the business community.”

Yesterday pupils from schools in the Sedgefield area met Richard Skelton, of Warrens Group, in Hardwick Park for the launch of the renamed Warrens Dash!

The 2018 Sedgefield Dash! final will be held on Tuesday, June 12, hosted by Hardwick Hall Hotel and Hardwick Park, with the Durham Dash! final on the following day on Palace Green in Durham.

For more information about the Dash! initiative visit dothedash.co.uk