MORE THAN 2000 school children took part in a county-wide sports day competing in an array of sports and games.

The annual Somerset School Games, organised by the Somerset Activity and Sports Partnership (SASP) took place on Thursday, July 7, and Friday, July 8, at Millfield School in Street.

There were 12 different sports on offer, including rounders, tennis, dodge ball as well as swimming and cycling.

The Parallel Games were held alongside the event for special schools and disabled students who took part in cricket, rounders and athletics.

As it is an Olympic year, the games held a special opening ceremony with all the schools parading their Olympic Torch around the athletics track, along with Team GB London 2012 marathon runner Mara Yamauchi offering inspiration to the young athletes.

Throughout the year, schools across the county have been hosting competitions to get the finalists. The winners were invited to represent each area of Somerset in the level three games at Millfield.

Hayley Bullock, SASP school games event manager, said: "The Summer School Games event was an excellent showcase event for Somerset and sport in schools.

"It was fantastic to see so many schools involved and for the event to be hosted by Millfield with the amazing facilities.

"Special thanks to all the volunteers and staff who were involved, it couldn't happen without you".

A host of schools came out victorious at the end of the two day event.

Heathfield took the win for secondary swimming, as well as year 10 rounders. Kingsmead boys won the year seven/eight run shoot and year seven and year eight athletics. Bishop Foxes were on top in year nine rounders.

The Castle School boys came joint first in year nine athletics with Holyrood, and the girls won for year eight athletics.

Primary school Bishops Henderson dominated the Quadkids athletics, winning both the years three/four and years five/six groups.

Overall winners of the Parallel Games was The Castle School.