ATHLETICS stars in the making will be vying for prestigious titles today and tomorrow in the English Schools Championships, which return to the North-East after an absence of more than 30 years.

The annual championships, which in the past have produced UK world-beaters like Seb Coe, Steve Ovett and Steve Cram, have always attracted the cream of English schools talent in what is recognised as the biggest athletics event outside the Olympic Games.

And the region's most promising young athletes will be hoping to turn home advantage into medal-winning performances at Gateshead International Stadium.

Durham, Northumberland and Cleveland all have youngsters who have the credentials to fly the flag for the region, but competition will be fierce in the three age groups for boys and girls.

A member of the 35-strong Durham team, Lewis Robson goes into the championships only a week after a record-breaking performance in the English Schools Combined Events regional final in Leeds.

The 16-year-old Washington schoolboy set a new North of England octathlon record of 5,256 points, registering personal-bests in five disciplines, including the 400m (49.2 secs) which he will be contesting at Gateshead.

Last year Robson took the English Schools Championships 400m hurdles bronze medal at Sheffield and he will be looking for even greater success as a second year intermediate in the flat one-lap event.

Another Durham competitor, Emma Morris, of South Shields, should have an outstanding chance of a gold medal in the senior girls' high jump, having won the AAA under-20 title and the Northern senior women's championships already this summer.

Cleveland - one of the smallest areas in the championships - also have several capable of climbing the medals rostrum.

Yusuf Aliu, a double record breaker in the North-East under-15 championships, should be a leading contender in the junior boys 100m, having clocked 11.1 secs this season

Teammate Richard Kilty, with an 11.2 to his credit, will also be looking for a place in the final.

Scott Henderson, who broke Great Britain international Anthony Borsumato's 14-year-old North-East record in the under-17 400m hurdles with a time of 55.65 secs before going on to win the Northern title, will be a leading contender in the intermediate boys event.

Another Teessider, 16-year-old Jonathan Taylor, could add to his North of England under-15 1500 title.

Dean Daniel, who broke the English Schools intermediate 200m record last year in his heat before finishing third in the final at Sheffield, has already received international honours this season and will be pushing for further success.

Gavin Hill, who won the intermediate discus title at the Don Valley Stadium last year, moves up into the senior age group.

Championship hosts Northumberland have several potential medal winners, including Kieron Flannery, who competes in the senior 400m hurdles, while North-East champion Lauren Dewdney resumes her rivalry with Durham's Inter-Counties Schools gold medallist Samantha Coleby.

The championships start at 10am on both days, with most finals taking place tomorrow.