YOUNG ambassadors for the nations of the world will bring the atmosphere of the Olympics to County Durham next week.

More than 800 seven-year-olds from primary schools in the Wear Valley will take part in the mini-Olympics at Durham University's Maiden Castle sports complex, in Durham City, on June 24 and 25.

The festival will see the year two pupils taking part in a variety of athletics events, relay races and games.

There will also be a parade of nations, complete with flags, as part of a medals awards ceremony.

The Wear Valley school sport co-ordinator, Sport Action Line teams and sports leader students from Wear Valley secondary schools will supervise and co-ordinate the organisation of the events.

Games organiser and partnership development manager Alan Duff, from Durham County Council's PE and Sport Advisory Unit, said: "This is the first time we have organised a mini-Olympics for such young children and there has been a great team effort from all who have contributed to the organisation.

"Our aim is to provide these very young children with a positive, fun and enjoyable experience that they will remember forever.

"Our motto is Fit for Fun and Fit for Life and, hopefully, we will sow the seeds of lifelong, health-related activity."

He said: "Each school has adopted a country to represent at the Olympics, and one of the highlights of the day will be a flag parade at the closing ceremony, where the children will be presented with their own mini-Olympics commemorative medals.