A PILOT sports event for young athletes has been hailed a success by its organisers.

North Yorkshire has been running one of nine School Games projects in the country this year, ahead of it being rolled out nationally next year.

It is hoped the School Games will become a lasting legacy as a result of the country hosting the 2012 Olympic Games.

Thousands of young people aged between eight and 16 competed in interschool competitions to find the best representative teams for their district. Those that made it through - about 1,500 students - then went on to compete in swimming, cricket, badminton and volleyball finals that have been held around the county in the past two weeks.

On Saturday schools converged on the David Lloyd Tennis centre in York for the tennis finals. Hambleton district won first place, followed by Craven district in second and Richmondshire district in third.

On the same day the gymnastics finals took place at Archbishop’s Holgate School in York.

The games then concluded with 800 young people taking part in the Youth Games on Sunday, July 3, at Queen Margaret’s School in Escrick, York which was also attended by the Olympic Mascots, Wenlocke and Mandeville.

David Watson, Director of North Yorkshire Sport, said being selected to host the prestigious School Games built on the proud tradition of the already established Youth Games in the county.

He said: “The School Games builds upon a long tradition of strong collaborative working between schools and community sport in North Yorkshire with this year including the 12th Annual Youth Games.

“The hard work put in to staging these events by both paid and volunteer staff is to be commended and I am sure that participants, spectators and their families will all join me in thanking them for their time and effort.”