A SPECIAL reception was held for 100 youngsters who will carry the sporting hopes of County Durham in the BAA Millennium Youth Games.

The youngsters, from schools across the county, won places in the one-off event, to be held in Southampton between August 17 and 20, at the recent Chartwells Durham Sport Youth Games, held at Maiden Castle, Durham City.

At County Hall, in Durham, they were congratulated on their success and wished well for Southampton by Durham County Council leader, Councillor Don Robson, and education director Keith Mitchell.

Coun Robson said: "It was really quite remarkable the way the Durham Sport Youth Games was organised over three days with different age groups. The support from the schools and the communities and parents was quite phenomenal.

"The performances at Maiden Castle indicate that we are well represented.

"Some of the youngsters are from small schools and small communities and it really will be a great occasion. For some of these young people it will be the experience of a lifetime to represent the county.''

Representing the county will be: Athletics - St Bede's RC Comprehensive, Lanchester; boys' basketball - Park View Community School, Chester-le-Street; girls basketball - Durham Johnston School, Durham; girls football - Chester-le-Street district team; boys football - Elemore Hall, High Pittington; girls hockey - Hummersknott School, Darlington; boys hockey - Park View Community School, Chester-le-Street; girls netball - Park View Community School; girls rugby - Hermitage School, Chester-le-Street; swimming - Woodham Community Technology College, Ferryhill; tennis - Durham City district team.