THIS summer, 1,250 pupils from every primary, secondary and special school in the Wear Valley will be taking part in a mini-Commonwealth Games festival, to mark the real event, taking place in Manchester.
The festival will be launched next Friday, at Crook Civic Centre, where 42 young ambassadors, representing every participating school, will be allocated a Commonwealth country to represent.
The games will be held on June 27, at Durham University's Maiden Castle sports complex,
Alan Duff, from Durham County Council's PE advisory unit, said: "A major theme of the programme is the encouragement of grass routes opportunities for sports participation in a spirit of friendship and fair play, which echoes the spirit of the XVII Commonwealth Games.
"All the children taking part will learn about their adopted countries, and part of the preparation for the festival will include each school making a Commonwealth flag for their adopted country with the support of local artists."
The festival will follow the format of the real games, including an opening ceremony when a parade of the flags of participating countries.
Sports will include athletics, cricket, hockey, tag rugby and table-tennis. In the lead up to the festival children will receive coaching.
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