MORE than 1,000 young people from across County Durham are set to come together for one huge day of sport next week.

The Level 3 County Durham School Games will take place at Barnard Castle School on Friday, July 6.

Teams represent their school sport area, which are loosely based upon the former County Durham district council areas and include pupils from both primary and secondary schools.

The sporting competition activities featured at this year’s event are QuadKids athletics, cheerleading, cricket, football, mountain biking, netball, new age kurling and tennis.

Champion Thai boxer Rachel Mackenzie will be making a special guest appearance at the games, sharing her career experiences with the pupils.

She represented her county in hockey, netball and cross-country when at school, before starting her career in Thai boxing.

The Change4Life festival will also provide a chance for non-sporty children to attend and try a range of activities.

The School Games focuses on six key values; determination, passion, respect, honesty, self-belief and teamwork.

Ian Gardiner, executive director at County Durham Sport said: “We continue to be extremely proud of the ongoing success of the County’s School Games, which are delivered year on year with and by local partners and young volunteers. The games provide young people with the chance to showcase their talents on the 'big stage' alongside the opportunity to try a range of activities and to make new friends. Perhaps most importantly though, the games help to support and encourage young people to lead an active and healthy life."

For more information on County Durham Sport and the School Games, visit countydurhamsport.com