PENRITH has been chosen to host this year's Cumbria Youth Games, the largest multi-sport event for young people in the county, with more than 1,000 participants in 16 competitions.

Teams from all six local authority areas will gather on Saturday, June 23, with the opening and closing ceremonies to be held at Penrith's newly extended and refurbished leisure centre.

Other sporting venues being used at this year's event include Frenchfields, Queen Elizabeth Grammar School, Ullswater Community College, Castle Park, and the University of Central Lancashire at Newton Rigg.

It is hoped that there will be a high-profile sporting celebrity present to help raise the profile of the event.

As organisers, Cumbria Sport Partnership will be looking to provide each participant and volunteer with refreshments and a number of mementos from this special event.

Everyone competing will be provided with a T-shirt, water bottle, certificate, mementos for winning teams, a commemorative bag, pen, fruit and an events programme.

The Youth Games, whose main sponsor is the Cumberland Building Society, will comprise a host of different sports, including hockey, rugby union, football, athletics, pan-disability football and tennis.

Three hundred volunteers will also be on hand to help the games run smoothly.

Games Manager Richard Johnstonsaid: "Getting more young people involved in sport is hugely important - to people's health, to increasing equality of opportunity to strengthening our communities, and this event provides an excellent opportunity for young people to try out a new sport.

"I would encourage as many people as possible to join us for what will be a wonderful sporting occasion for all the family.

"Parents and friends of those taking part are more than welcome to come along and watch or take part in the many other events being provided on the day.

"I am sure it will be a great success and, with the 2012 Olympics rapidly approaching, hopefully this event will inspire some future Cumbrian Olympians!"

For an event timetable and more details of the attractions, contact Richard Johnston on 01228 606885.