A TOUCH of the Commonwealth Games came to East Lancashire when primary schools from across Pendle took part in their own version of the game.

Seedhill Running track was transformed in to a sea of colour as schools adopted the names of countries taking part in the real Commonwealth Games that take place in Glasgow later this month.

The event included an opening ceremony (conducted by the Mayor of Pendle) while a Samba band kept competitors and supporters alike entertained throughout the day.

A total of 25 schools from across the borough took part in 18 different events.

The schools and their countries that took part were: Barnoldswick (Canada), Holy Trinity (New Zealand), St Marys (Gambia), Barrowford (Singapore), Kelbrook (Australia), St Philips (Mauritius), Blacko (Rwanda), Laneshawbridge (Cameroon), St Thomas (Jersey), Castercliff (Bermuda), Marsden (Jamaica), Trawden (Malaysia), Christ Church (Ghana), Park (Tanzania), Walverden (Sri Lanka), Coates Lane (Gibralter), Primet (Malta), West Street (Nigeria), Earby (Samoa), Salterforth (Bangladesh), Wheatley Lane (Uganda), Hendon Brook (Greneda), St John Southworth (South Africa), Holy Saviour (St Lucia) and St Josephs (Kenya).

The young athletes took part in both track and field events, testing their speed and endurance on the track in the 100m and 800m events.

Other events also included the long jump, javelin, shot put, netball, archery and tri golf. There were also Paralympian events in the netball, shot put, javelin and boccia.

And it was a day when the honours were shared out with no fewer than 12 schools winning the 18 individual and team sports.

Only Laneshawbridge, Coates Lane and Trawden finished on top of the podium more than once, with each school producing three winners on the day.

Laneshawbridge won the girls shot put, the netball shooting event and were first in the team archery.

Trawden’s triple success all game in the field events, Dominic Broughton winning the long jump while Sam Hartley enjoyed a personal double, winning the javelin and shot put.

And Coates Lane, won the team tri golf event and swept the board in the para javelin, winning both boys and girls events.

But the entertainment was not just confined to the track and field as Abbey Blackledge organised a Samba Band which was made up of pupils from Holy Trinity, St Philips, West Street and Walter Street Primary Academy “It was a fantastic day of sport took place at Seedhill track,” said School games organiser Neil Stewart “It was a very colourful occasion with each school representing a country from the Commonwealth.

“It was great to have the Mayor of Pendle here to open the Games while pupils in the Samba Band certainly kept the crowds entertained.

“I would like to contratulate all the competitors who provided some excellent performances for the crowd to watch.

“And a big thank you to all the Nelson and Colne College Btec students who officiated all the events.”