UP to 150 youngsters from Crewe and Nantwich are gearing up for the county's biggest multi-sport event on Saturday.

Almost 5,000 people are expected to converge in Ellesmere Port for the Cheshire and Warrington Partner-ship Youth Games from the county's six boroughs - Crewe & Nantwich, Congleton, Chester, Ellesmere Port & Neston, Macclesfield andVale Royal - and the Warrington unitary authority area.

They will include 1,300 young people aged between nine and 19 years old who are competing in the games, 600 volunteers helping with organisation and more than 3,000 spectators.

Every year the games help to promote physical activity and fair play and has a huge emphasis on participation and inclusion for all.

This year's family event will be held at Cheshire Oaks High School and the David Lloyd Centre. Eleven sporting competitions will take place including rugby, netball, athletics, cricket, girls football, basketball, disability football and two new events for this year - mini tennis and mini water polo.

Crewe and Nantwich mayor Howard Curran and Nantwich Town Council chairman Steve Hope gave the youngsters, all kitted-out in their green strip, a send-off last week.

Borough sports development officer Niall McGregor said: 'Well done to all the youngsters who made the Crewe and Nantwich team. It goes without saying that we offer them the best of luck ahead of the games. We'd also like to thank our sponsors, P Williams.'

A sporting champion will be flown in by helicopter to open the event and get the children ready for action. Many other activities taking place during the day will include circus performers, mascot race, athletics agility challenge, ergo machines and face painting.

The games will begin at 9.30am with a mass warm-up for all the participants.

All sports events will start at 10am with most events continuing until around 3.30pm when medal presentations will take place to reward the winners.

Every child will receive a free wristband and medal on the day as well as numerous giveaways.