THOUSANDS of youngsters from all over east Durham took part in their own mini Commonwealth Games Festival yesterday.

More than 2,000 children from 45 primary schools hit the ground running in a mass celebration of youth sport and dance at East Durham and Houghall Community College, in Peterlee.

A spectacular opening ceremony saw the children parade specially-made banners representing Commonwealth countries.

The flags were made by the children with help from local artists.

Following the festival, the banners went on display in the college theatre and will be there for the next week.

During the games, pupils from schools including Acre Rigg Junior, Shotton Hall Comprehensive, Haswell Primary, North Blunts Primary, Shotton Hall Junior, Howletch Lane Primary and South Hetton Primary performed a Commonwealth dance choreographed by the Tin Dance Company.

Sporting events included athletics, swimming, rugby, football, basketball, tennis, dance and boccia - a type of bowls which can be played by children with disabilities.

A variety of street entertainment also took place during the day and featured live music, face painting, a Tanzanian acrobatic group, some demonstrations of Tri-golf, rowing, floor ladder activities and play parachutes.

The event was part of the Spirit of Friendship Festival held in the run-up to the Manchester 2002 Commonwealth Games.

Students from six east Durham secondary schools helped to organise the Peterlee event as part of the Youth Sports Trust Link Programme.

Similar mini Commonwealth Games are being run by 3,000 young sports leaders, involving up to 75,000 primary pupils across the country