PEOPLE who cannot get to Manchester this summer to watch the Commonwealth Games are being invited to visit Pendle's very own mini commonwealth games instead.

Pendle Leisure Trust are giving local primary school children the chance to take part in their own Commonwealth Festival.

It will be held from June 25 to 28 and will involve 11 schools, approximately 200 children and numerous members of Pendle Leisure Staff and volunteers.

The festival will be held to commemorate this year's Games in Manchester and to give Pendle youngsters a taste of what it would be like to compete against other teams in different events in a four-day tournament.

The games have been funded through the Awards For All scheme from Sport England which is encouraging sport participation at grass roots level.

This funding has allowed Pendle Leisure Trust and other volunteers from local sporting organisations and primary schools to provide free transport for the schools involved as well as providing equipment, medals and trophies.

Suzanne Hodgson, Pendle Leisure Trusts's sports development manager, says "It is extremely important for today's youngsters to get involved in different sports to keep them fit and healthy and to participate with other children in group activities.

"This year's Commonwealth Games create further awareness of the advantages of sport to the general public and encourages more participation -- an ideal time to get children involved."

Each school involved has been given a country to represent and will wear their colours during the competition. The schools involved are: St Thomas -- Australia, Walter Street -- Fiji, Gisburn Road -- Kenya, Reedley -- Sri Lanka, Christ Church -- South Africa, Lord Street -- Bahamas, St Michael and all Angels -- Cyprus, Sacred Heart -- Cameroon, Kelbrook -- Trinidad, Blacko -- Mauritius, Trawden -- Jamaica.

The opening ceremony and netball competition will take place at Pendle Leisure Centre on Tuesday, followed by the Badminton Tournament at the sports hall at Pendle Leisure Centre on Wednesday, a swimming gala at Pendle Leisure Centre on Thursday and Athletics and the closing ceremony at Seedhill Athletics and Fitness Centre on Friday.