Young sports stars from across Cumbria descended on Carlisle this week as they went head-to-head in the Cumbria School Games.

Decked in colours representing the area their schools are in – Carlisle, Eden, Allerdale, Copeland, South Lakes and Furness – pupils met at the Sands Centre before some headed out to other venues across the city.

The indoor venue saw pupils compete in boccia, pan disability football, table cricket and table tennis, while those taking part in high 5 netball and year seven netball competed on the 3G pitches in Harraby.

Elsewhere, a mini tennis competition was held at Chatsworth Tennis Club, while orienteering took place in Chances Park. Tri golf took place at Swifts Golf Course and Austin Friars school hosted the quicksticks hockey competition.

The inter-schools competition, which is organised by Active Cumbria, also welcomed a number of special guests, including 2016 Paralympic athlete Simon Lawson and Nat Pattinson, of the wheelchair basketball team.

World champion inline skater Jenna Downing, British orienteering champion Alistair Thomas and Beth Lishman – who is currently preparing for the Deaflympics – were also on hand to offer their support.

“We’ve been doing this for eight years now,” said Richard Johnston, senior manager – operations.

“Everyone that’s taking part is here because they’ve won inter-schools competitions, so this is a culmination of other events that have been taking place throughout the year.

“Ninety-five per cent of schools across Cumbria have taken part in these events in some way, so it’s an incredible level of involvement and something that everyone wants to be part of.

“One of the things that we’ve been particularly keen to do is introduce pupils to sports that they wouldn’t necessarily have tried themselves. Even if they’ve not been able to carry on playing at school, we’ve been able to signpost them to other places where they can take part.”

Benny Rigby, 19, and 17-year-old Ryan Jackson were both representing Mayfield School – in Hensingham – in table tennis.

“I’ve been playing for two years now,” said Benny. “I got into table tennis through school.”

Ryan, who said he spends time practicing while at school, added: “It’s a good way to keep fit and play with your friends. It’s amazing to come here and play against other schools.”