DEAF athletes hit the ground running to support for Tyneside's bid to become European Capital of Culture in 2008.

Becoming Visible, the community group for deaf people, held a sports day at Gateshead International Stadium.

The event aimed to illustrate that the bid by Newcastle and Gateshead for the capital of culture crown included people from all walks of life. The contest was organised by Francis Murphy, co-ordinator of the Tyneside Deaf Youth Project and chairman of Becoming Visible.

Earlier this month, members of the group met with judges assessing Tyneside's application, to discuss how winning the title of European Capital of Culture would help Becoming Visible achieve its goals.