SPORTS Minister Richard Caborn yesterday gave the thumbs-up to an annual event in the North-East which could help to inspire the champions of the future.

The sixth Durham Sport Youth Games, started by former football star Peter Beardsley, saw about 1,300 young people, from 32 comprehensive schools, taking part in competitive games.

While the ex-Newcastle and England player was in great demand with young autograph hunters, the second guest, the new sports minister, was a less familiar figure to the young competitors.

Mr Caborn called at Durham University's Maiden Castle sports complex and was given a tour of the site as the teams battled it out on the cricket, hockey, rugby, football and boccia pitches, on the tennis, basketball and netball courts, round the athletics track, and on the table tennis tables.

The Sheffield MP introduced himself to the young competitors, self-effacingly, as The Minister of a Question of Sport, following his recent failure to answer several sports questions on an impromptu radio quiz, shortly after his appointment by Prime Minister Tony Blair.

Mr Caborn said: "I have got a clear mission the Prime Minister gave me to rejuvenate sport, to widen and deepen the catchment area of all people coming into sport, particularly young people, and then ensure we have simple means of allowing them to take part in sport.

"It is my job to work with partnerships in the regions, with Sport England and the regional bodies, so they can deliver the programmes in a more effective way."

The games are jointly supported by school meal provider Chartwells, the County Durham Development Company, Durham Police and the Durham Sport Partnership, backed by a £20,000 grant from Sport England.