MORE than 600 youngsters and around 1,500 spectators will descend on Droitwich Spa for the third annual Worcestershire Youth Games this Sunday.

Last year more than 1,000 children took part in the Millennium Youth Games in Worcester, which followed a smaller trial event the previous year.

The rip-roaring success last year means the Games are set to become an annual event, with each of the districts taking turns to host it.

It's Wychavon's turn this year, with the events being held at three venues within a javelin throw of each other - Droitwich Spa Leisure Centre, Droitwich Spa High School and Westacre Middle School.

This year it will be a Worcestershire-only event, with six teams representing the districts of Bromsgrove, Malvern Hills, Redditch, Worcester City, Wychavon and Wyre Forest.

Sports featured, at various different age groups, will be: football (boys and girls and for boys with moderate learning disabilities); hockey (boys and girls); basketball (boys and girls); tennis (mixed); netball (girls); and tag rugby (girls and mixed).

In addition there will be a friendly disability event featuring games such as boccia and polybat.

The emphasis is on participation more than sporting excellence, with all the events being team competitions.

However, unlike last year there will be no national final for the winners of each event to move onto.

Last year the county won three medals at the national games in Southampton - the national finals are scheduled to be held every two years.

This year's Worcestershire event has been jointly organised by Steve Brewster, Wychavon Council's Youth Sports Development Officer, and the council's Leisure Officer Sue Healey, who said: "As well as a sporting tournament for young people, we aim to make this an enjoyable and fun day for the whole family.

"There should be plenty to do - we just need some good weather to round it all off."

Mr Brewster added: "It is not as large as last year's event because we haven't got a site as central as Nunnery Wood, with everything in one place. But we are still quite lucky to have three quite large venues in the same vicinity.

"We definitely think it's going to be a success, touching wood and hoping that the weather is with us. I am sure we will be building on the positives from last year."

The games will be officially opened at 10am on Sunday, followed at 10.15am by a short aerobic warm-up for everyone. Competitive action begins at 10.45am, with the medal ceremony at around 4pm.

There will be entertainment throughout the day and a free live concert will be held in the Leisure Centre arena from 2pm, including popular singer David Graham and bands such as Lolokeoki, Two of a Kind, Point Blank and Bliss.

Parking will be at Droitwich Leisure Centre.