THE wet weather failed to dampen the enthusiasm of youngsters taking part in a mini-Olympics event yesterday.

About 380 children from 22 primary schools in the Wear Valley and Weardale area took part in a host of sporting activities at Durham University's Maiden Castle, sports complex, in Durham City, yesterday.

Each school chose a country to represent and wore the flags of their adopted nationality with pride as they battled it out in aerobic events, relay activities, parachute games and an 800-metre race.

Activities had to be held indoors after the weather threatened to make the event,organised by school sports co-ordinators from the Wear Valley, Weardale and Bishop Auckland area, a washout.

Garry Purcell, sports co-ordinator for Bishop Auckland, said: "The weather did not beat us, we beat the weather.

"The kids have enjoyed it, in fact they loved it and each of them went away with a medal for taking part. There were no losers.''

The games continue today when hundreds of six to seven-year-olds from primary schools in the Bishop Auckland area will take part.