Youngsters mark the Paralympics

Two thousand youngsters from North Herts will be in the running for medals when they take part in a huge sporting celebration of the Paralympics closing ceremony in Beijing and the handover to London 2012. Students aged from nine to 13 will compete in ath

Two thousand youngsters from North Herts will be in the running for medals when they take part in a huge sporting celebration of the Paralympics closing ceremony in Beijing and the handover to London 2012.

Students aged from nine to 13 will compete in athletics, football, hockey, netball, table tennis and the Paralympic sport boccia at Knights Templar School, Baldock, next Wednesday (September 17).

Organisers the North Herts Sports Partnership are working closely with North Herts District Council, Children's Trust Partnership, Stevenage Leisure Ltd and Letchworth Garden City Heritage Foundation to make the day special.

Thanks to funding from the district council, all the youngsters will be transported to the event from their schools.

The morning will see primary children from Hitchin taking part, followed by younger pupils from Letchworth, Baldock and Royston in the afternoon and secondary students after school.

All sports events are being run by clubs and representatives of national governing bodies supported by young sports leaders from across the partnership. About 30 volunteers from local sports clubs will be involved.

Cllr Ian Knighton, the district council's portfolio holder for leisure, said: "This is going to be a very special day and we will make sure that the Paralympic handover goes with a real bang in North Herts.

"It is a wonderful opportunity for our talented and enthusiastic young people to show what they are capable of and compete for their own gold, silver and bronze medals.