Aiming to find the Paralympic stars of the future, the Playground to Podium programme at the Norfolk School Games targeted talented young athletes and offered pathways for future training.

Yesterday's events saw youngsters tackle cricket, goal ball and boccia – learning new skills and competing to win.

Ellen Vanlint, sports development officer, said: 'It's been good for them to test their abilities against others, and see what opportunities there are with different clubs.

'We hope to continue to improve next year and develop into the partnership teams – where both disabled and mainstream athletes compete for their partnerships.'

Youngsters with different abilities were put on a level playing field by playing goal ball, a sport where the players are blind folded, and boccia, where all the players sit on chairs.

Kirsty Brook, 12, at King Edward VII school, said: 'I've been competing in two different days this week.

'My parents are really proud I was picked, and it's nice to be with my friends.'

Danny Gay, a PE teacher at the school, said: 'It's important to promote special needs sport because sometimes children get lost in mainstream PE.

'It's good to see the youngsters playing and today they've been a credit to themselves.'