YOUNGSTERS from all over County Durham converged on Durham City yesterday for the region's biggest ever youth games.

Hundreds of pupils aged ten and 11 met in sport and friendship and got a taste of big time competition when they participated in the Under-11s section of the Chartwells Durham Sport Youth Games.

The youngsters, from Darlington to Chester-le-Street, competed in 11 sports including athletics, basketball, table tennis, soccer, rugby, tennis and boccia.

Apart from the occasional shower the event, at Durham University's Graham Sports Centre at Maiden Castle, proved a success.

Around 3,500 youngsters will take part in the event, which continues today and tomorrow.

Today under-13s compete, followed by under-15s tomorrow. The winners in these two age groups will go forward to the BAA Millennium Youth Games which will be held over four days in August at Southampton.

The event is being organised by a consortium including Durham County Council, Durham University and Sport England. School dinners provider Chartwells is the title sponsor and the County Durham Development Company is the event sponsor.

Games director Geoff Sheldon, of the county council's PE and sports development unit, said: "It's gone well. There were a few showers here and there but generally speaking all the children have had a great time, which is the main thing.

"We are looking forward to better weather. The bigger children are competing today so the competition should be a bit more serious.

"The winners in the under-13s and the under-15s - who compete on Saturday will go to the national finals in Southampton.

"The idea is to involve thousands of young people in sport and hopefully get them involved in healthy activity for the rest of their lives."

Gerry Woods, director of Chartwells, said: "Good food and regular exercise are important in the development of school children and we particularly like the youth games because it allows all children to take part and doesn't single out elite athletes.''

All young competitors are getting a T-shirt for their involvement. More than 1,000 volunteers are helping to ensure the games run smoothly and it is expected the event will attract a total of 9,000 spectators.

A swimming gala was held as part of the event last weekend at the Woodhouse Close Leisure centre in Bishop Auckland.

l Yesterday's results on page nin