BUDDING sports stars have enjoyed top level coaching in a professional environment during the first week of the school summer holiday.

The elite training week was offered to 150 hand-picked primary school pupils from east Durham, each with prowess in various sporting pastimes.

Durham University's Graham Sports Centre, at Maiden Castle, near Durham, has provided the setting for the Easington District School Summer Sport Co-ordinator Programme.

It is the first summer school of its type open to every primary school in the Easington area.

Geoff Sheldon, Easington district sports partnership development manager, said: "All the children were nominated by their teachers as the most gifted and talented sports pupils who would both enjoy and benefit from this free opportunity.

"Throughout the week, they have been able to develop their skills in a range of familiar sports but they have also had the chance to try out new sports and to improve their personal fitness and knowledge of health."

The summer school has been arranged with the backing of both Durham University and East Durham and Houghall Community College.

They provided staff and other support.

The event was also backed by Dalton Park retail outlet in Murton, east Durham, the Sports Match fund and the Government's Single Regeneration Budget.

All the participating youngsters have worked with university lecturers, students, school sport co-ordinator staff, sport development officers and national governing body coaches.

But it has not just been a pure sports coaching week, as they have all experienced outdoor and adventure activities, plus problem-solving and team challenge adventures.

The primary schools' summer school followed a successful summer camp for teenagers from east Durham's six secondary schools at Maiden Castle, last week.

Proud parents of the participating primary youngsters were invited to Maiden Castle yesterday for the end-of-week awards ceremony.