PUPILS from primary schools across Blackburn and Darwen got the chance to show off their all-round skills when they took part in a Multi Skills Festival.

Schools were invited to take up to 16 Key Stage 1 (Year 1 &2) youngters for either the morning or afternoon session.

The young sports fans had the chance to receive expert coaching in a variety of activities including gymnastics skills, rounders, throwing and catching and quad kids athletics.

The Schools were paired up with another school and completed three, 50-minute sessions on three of the five stations.

Brookhouse, Lammack, Lower Darwen, St Barnabas & St Paul’s, St Michael & St Johns, Meadowhead Infants, Salesbury, Roe Lee, The Redeemer, St Silas, Wensley Fold, St James Lower Darwen, St Thomas’ and St Anthony’s were all in attendance.

Andrew Mercer, school games orgnaniser said: “Historically we have not offered much in the way of festivals or competitions for this age group, so it was great to see over 220 children enjoying the day.

“It was great to see so many smiles on faces throughout the day and hopefully this experience will encourage those involved to get involved in more sport and physical activity in the future. The event was made possible by schools using their sports premium funding which was introduced this year and is in place until 2020.

"The plan is to develop more events for this age range in future years. I would like to thank Queen Elizabeth’s Grammar School for allowing us to use their facilities at Lammack and also the 10 young leaders from St Bede’s High School who did a brilliant job measuring, time keeping and generally looking after and encouraging the little ones.”