HEAVY rain failed to dampen the enthusiasm of hundreds of youngsters from across Hampshire at the inaugural Southampton Airport County Youth Parallel Games.

Around 300 kids with learning difficulties or disabilities descended on Aldershot's Military Barracks to compete in a range of sports - some for the first time.

The event had been organised by the Hampshire & Isle of Wight Sport Partnership to run as a curtain-raiser to the sixth Hampshire Youth Games, which involve around 1,600 youngsters from 13 local authority areas throughout the county and are taking place today.

It is believed the Parallel Games, which saw youngsters competing in football, basketball and athletics, were the first of their kind to be staged in England and will become an annual event.

Previously, youngsters with disabilities had competed alongside their more able-bodied peers but not in great numbers due to the fact the Games are always held on a Saturday and special schools could not provide as much support or transport as they could on a weekday.

Event organiser Sharon Hall, Hampshire County Council's youth sports development manager, said: "It's great that we're able to provide the opportunity for these youngsters to play sport.

"Hopefully they will all enjoy the experience and want to play again.

"A lot of the youngsters with only moderate learning difficulties would have no problems joining a mainstream sports club - this is all about giving them the confidence to do just that.

"At the moment the youngsters might not get too many chances to compete against other special schools that often. This is a rare chance to do that."