A CITY-WIDE search to find the next Pete Waterfield diving sensation is being launched.

Pete who clinched silver in the Olympic games in Athens has given his backing to the talent search that will see hundreds of schoolchildren tested to see if they have what it takes.

Pupils from about 200 schools within a ten-mile radius of The Quays where Pete does his training, will be invited to take part in the British Junior Programme Manager for Diving, led by talent scout Julian Bellan.

The aim is to invite 2,000 children aged between two to six to be screened using simple gymnastic tests and anthropometric measurements to analyse their potential as divers.

From the initial tests 30 youngsters will be selected to join a fast track programme involving pool sessions where they will be taught the art of springboard and highboard diving.

Organisers of the talent search are hoping the scheme will prove popular following the success of Pete Waterfield at the recent Olympics where he won silver in the synchronised diving event.

The diver, 23, from Millbrook came home to a hero's welcome on Tuesday when he was greeted by well-wishers as he toured Southampton on an open-top bus before being presented with a commemorative plaque to mark his achievement along with his coach Lindsey Fraser.

Pete said: "It has been great to see the profile of diving lifted by our success at the Olympics, anything that adds to the interest in the sport and improves our chances of success is great."

Lindsey, who has been coaching Pete in Southampton since he was eight years old and who was the British Olympic team manager for diving, said she was delighted the talent search was coming to the south coast.

The director of coaching at the Southampton Diving Academy where Pete trains said: "I am very excited about what will be a wonderful opportunity to find the next Pete Waterfield.

"This is a great way of spotting potential early and is the right sort of approach to developing the sport and improving our chances of success."

Schools wishing to take part in the scheme should contact Anne Clewlow on 023 8022 1707.