COUNTY Durham school athletes will take on counterparts from Hungarian schools in a competition next Wednesday.

The Anglo/Hungarian School Sports Challenge, which is organised by Durham County Council's International Office, will bring together more than 160 youngsters aged 14 and 15.

Six schools, including Durham Johnston, Chester-le-Street's Park View and Hermitage, and Stanley's Greencroft, will be involved.

Competitors from both countries will spend Tuesday visiting attractions across the North-East, including Sunderland's Stadium of Light, Wet 'n' Wild at North Shields and Seahouses in Northumberland, before the action starts the following day.

A colourful opening ceremony, featuring flags and costumes, will be followed by competitions in football, cross country, swimming, basketball, tennis and table tennis, mostly at school venues.

Brian Stobie, the council's international officer, said: "We have been running the sports challenge for a number of years now and it has always been huge fun and a great success.

"The Hungarian athletes are always very impressive and it is a fantastic experience for children in County Durham to be competing against such high quality opposition.

"Sport is a wonderful medium to promote international contacts and this event gives an invaluable opportunity to youngsters in County Durham to mix with children from another country."

Individual medals will be awarded to each child taking part, and a small trophy will go to the winner of each event. The overall prize is the Challenge Cup.

The competition is one of a series of activities being organised by the council with the Hungarian region of Szolnok.

A group from Szolnok visited to see how the county is tackling racism in the community and a party of folk dancers is due to visit in May. Hungarian teachers will study teaching methods in June and a youth exchange is planned for July.