A superb 220 youngsters aged between 11 and 18 took part in the latest Discovery Festival, held, in this instance, at David Lloyd Leisure Centre in Ipswich.

The festival is designed for children with physical and learning disabilities as well as for youngsters that for whatever reason have not been able to take part in mainstream sport.

Seventeen teams, made up of children from secondary schools and higher education in Ipswich and South Suffolk, took part in seven sports.

They enjoyed a fun day trying their hand at sportshall athletics, rugby, inclusive tennis, cricket, darts, boccia and judo.

As well as the youngsters taking part, a further 72 young leaders, representing Suffolk One College, Suffolk College, Northgate School and Priory School, Bury St Edmunds helped make the day a big success.

Inclusive School Games Organiser, Danny Thorrington, said: “This was an opportunity for the youngsters to sample different sports, such as boccia, rugby and darts.

Visually-impaired judoka player Ben Quilter, who secured a bronze medal for Great Britain at the Paralympics, was there to sign autographs and help out, while Evie Edwards, from the Boccia England side, also attended.

“The youngsters enjoyed a fantastic day which was made even more special, thanks to the help of our young leaders,,” said Thorrington.

“Young people often receive a lot of bad press but the leaders made the day a phenomenal success.”

The next Discovery festival will be held on February 27 at Crown Pools in Ipswich.