MORE than 100 disabled children will have the chance to compete in a mini-paralympics next week.

The youngsters from special and mainstream schools in County Durham will be joined at Shildon's Millennium Athletics Stadium next Tuesday by Olympic 400m runner Alison Curbishley.

They will compete in the first county-wide inclusive athletics festival for children who have never taken part in a sports competition or represented their school at a sporting event.

A team from Durham County Council's PE and Sport Development Unit has been in schools working with youngsters and designing a format for the event.

Geoff Sheldon, from the unit, said they had devised a range of challenges to suit the skills of the competitors.

"This is our first attempt at anything like this and it has been a learning experience for us, but we have found the school to be very appreciative," he said.

"The important thing is that children have a great day out mixing with children from all over the county. If it is successful then, hopefully, we can do it again."

As well as track events including slalom, balance and obstacle races, the youngsters will compete in seated ball throwing, the turbo javelin, target throwing and the standing broad jump.

Extra activities include golf, tours of a fire engine and a police car, face-painting, a magic show, play parachutes, aerobics and a games area.

Helping with the organisation will be students from King James 1 Community College, Bishop Auckland, Sedgefield Community College, Durham Sixth Form Centre, Bishop Auckland College, Woodham Technology College and Shildon's Sunnydale School.

The event is a partnership between the county council, Sedgefield Borough Council, UK Athletics, the English Federation of Disability Sport and Durham Sport.

Each competitor will receive a commemorative medal and certificate.