YOUNGSTERS will receive better sports training after a new scheme secured the help of one of Britain's top athletes.

Jared Deacon, who has been selected to represent Team England in the forthcoming Manchester Commonwealth Games, has agreed to lend his expertise to the school sports co-ordinator programme in South Tyneside.

The runner will manage sporting links between four secondary schools and 22 primary schools.

He said: "We want to see young people get a better sporting future, so it is extremely important that they get the best opportunities right through their school life. The programme will not only benefit individual children, but will also help raise the profile of sport at primary and secondary school level.

"I will be working with schools in South Tyneside to help them become more active through well-structured PE, school sport and out-of-hours activities.

"We hope to link up with community sports facilities and development programmes as part of the national initiative across hundreds of schools."

Former England footballer Trevor Brooking, who is chairman of Sport England, said: "School sport co-ordinators are a vital resource focusing on grass roots involvement in sport. With the appointment of Jared as a high profile international sports star, we have had a major boost locally and nationally."