SEVEN North-East youngsters will be awarded with grants to support their sporting futures at the Emirates Durham International Cricket Ground tomorrow (SUN).

Future Sport, a charity dedicated to assisting the progress of young people in sport across the North-East, is awarding the grants, with funds raised at The Northern Echo’s Local Heroes awards having played a key role in the process.

Tomorrow’s award recipients include acrobatic gymnast Marcus Winship, 11, of South Hetton, who won a silver medal in his first British Championships in March, and ski cross champion Emma Peters, 16, of Cleadon, who won a national title in France earlier this year.

Les Hodgson, chairman of Future Sport, said: “It’s so important to support young people in sport - after all they could be our future Olympians.

“We really want to help inspire young people and make sure they are given all the support possible to realise their potential. Hosting this ceremony at Durham County Cricket Club is an inspiring environment for all the youngsters, regardless of the sport they partake in. It will be a special day.”

The grants, ranging from £250-500, are to help cover training costs, travel expenses, buying specialist foods, lodgings for competitions away from home, renting facilities and hiring coaches.