TALENTED school children have showcased their sporting skills in the first of a number of festivals this year.

More than 250 talented swimmers, dancers, netballers and wheelchair basketball players competed in the first Tees Valley School Games Festival of 2018 at the Dolphin Centre and Polam School in Darlington yesterday.

Children between the ages of nine and 14 took part in the event, which is a culmination of the intra-school and inter-school festivals and competitions that have taken place across the Tees Valley during the 2017 – 18 academic year.

The youngsters were joined by Chris Cook, a former swimmer and World and European Championship medallist for Great Britain, who spoke to the pupils about the values of determination, passion, honesty, self-belief, respect and teamwork as part of the event's opening ceremony.

A spokesperson for Tees Valley Sport said: "The young people represented their district and competed against each other in the Spirit of the Games, a set of values that embody the ethos of the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

"The School Games have been introduced to use the unique power and energy of London 2012 to inspire young people to participate in sport generally and to play more competitive sport in particular."

Tees Valley Sport is a partnership initiative that aims to co-ordinate sports development, planning and delivery in the Tees Valley.

A further two events will be taking place during the summer months with almost 1,300 young people participating as athletes, volunteers and officials.

There will be athletics, rounders, cycling and table tennis events at Middlesbrough Sports Village on Wednesday, June 20, with further events taking place the following day at the Sports Village and at Marton Cricket Club.

For more information, visit www.teesvalleysport.co.uk.