MORE than 1,700 pupils will take part in what will be the biggest schools multi-sports event ever staged in Hyndburn - the Hyndburn Olympiad.

Around 40 primary and secondary schools in the area will be involved in the event, organised to celebrate the Olympics which will take place in Athens later in the year. The Olympiad, for pupils aged between eight and 16, will start this month and run until July. To give it an international feel, all schools will represent a country as Rhyddings will become Jamaica and Great Britain will be Belthorn.

There will be seven different sports - rugby league, girls football, Kwik cricket, athletics, mini basketball, mini hockey and hockey - and these will take place at four different venues - Hyndburn Sports Centre, Accrington Cricket Club, Highams Playing Fields and Norden High School.

"It is going to be huge," said Hyndburn Leisure's Sport and Community Development Officer Lee Boyer. "In girls football alone there are 35 teams - 20 teams from the primary schools competing in the morning and 15 for the secondary schools in the afternoon."

The event has been organised by the Sport and Community Development Team in partnership with many of Hyndburn's local clubs and sports groups, including the newly formed Hyndburn Schools Sports Network. There will be victory anthems, special medals, an opening ceremony and special appearances from sporting champions.

If anyone wants to get involved in sponsorship for the Olympiad contact Lee Boyer on 01254 380286.