CHILDREN from Great Harwood have developed improved sporting skills, thanks to a schools scheme in conjunction with Co-op Sports.

Sportsdrive was a taster course for Co-op Sports for Schools which gave youngsters the opportunity to try out penalty shoot-outs, assault courses and team exercises. Eight schools participated and accumulated points for team races.

Every pupil taking part was presented with a certificate from the scheme's mascot Funky Monkey and all eight schools received 3,000 Sports for Schools vouchers, but the winner gained an extra 7,000.

When the final scores were added up the overall victor was St Leonard's Primary School, followed by St Bartholomew's and then Great Harwood Primary School.

Luena Topping, Year five teacher at St Leonard's, said: "It was an absolutely fantastic afternoon. The wide range of activities that the Sports for Schools team provided enabled the children to receive a totally different PE lesson to what they are normally used to.

"And it was a great way to renew their enthusiasm in sports from the various team games which they played."

Vouchers to enable the schools to purchase even more sports equipment are still available through the Late Shop, Glebe Street, and Co-op, Queen Street, until December 31.

To find out more call 0161 8174215.