MORE than 200 young swimmers from across the Tees Valley will descend on Darlington tomorrow (Thursday, April 24) for a hotly fought competition.

The swimming gala, taking place at The Dolphin Centre, is the first in the Sainsbury’s School Games 2014 season and will see competitors aged nine to 16-years-old battle it out against each other.

Darlington Borough Council is hosting the gala, with volunteers from Darlington Swimming Club providing a team of officials and timekeepers.

Teenage volunteers will also work alongside the officials to develop their expertise and understanding of event and sports management.

A further three events in the School Games season will take place during the summer months with almost 1,300 young people participating as athletes, volunteers and officials.

The events are; athletics at Clairville Stadium in Middlesbrough on June 25, a multi-sport day, at Eston Sports Centre on June 26 and a tennis tournament at Tennis World, Middlesbrough, on July 4.

The Sainsbury’s School Games runs annually in the Tees Valley and it is hoped the competition will keep young people involved in sport throughout their lives.