GUIDELINES designed to protect children taking part in sport will be unveiled today.

Durham Sport will launch its Child Protection Policy at a meeting in Durham County Cricket Club's Riverside ground at Chester-le-Street this morning.

Guidelines have been drawn up over the past 12 months which meet the national standards laid down by the NSPCC to help safeguard children as they take part in sports activities.

Liz Barton-Jones, lead child protection officer for Durham Sport, said: "There are a huge number of benefits that we have identified by writing the new policy.

"We have raised the awareness for both us as an organisation and also the districts we work with, sports clubs, parents and children themselves who have a greater knowledge around child protection and how to protect themselves and minimise the risk."