Months of training, competition and preparation are set to come to a head for thousands of youngsters this weekend when they take part in the biggest sporting event of their lives.

More than 30,000 children from more than 500 schools across the county set out on the road to the Kent School Games finals almost a year ago.

From today until Sunday, there will be more than 50 different competition finals taking place at venues across Canterbury.

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The Games have given youngsters aged four to 16 the chance to compete in 38 sports, including disability sports.

Around 6,000 youngsters from primary, secondary and special schools are set to take part in what is believed to be the largest school sports event in Europe.

Young golfers will take to the course at Broome Park Golf Club while hockey players from across the county will take to the pitch at Polo Farm.

Dame Kelly Holmes on the Kent School Games

Canterbury High School will host trampolining, beach volleyball, athletics, sports stacking and multi-skills decathlon for year one and two pupils.

The University of Kent will play host to basketball, disability archery and football, futsal, tennis, football, netball and tri-golf.

Kingsmead Leisure Centre will host the swimming and table tennis competitions while Simon Langton Boys school will host rock climbing demonstrations and court volleyball.

Canterbury Christ Church University will host the badminton events.

The Games finals were officially opened last week by double Olympic gold medallist Dame Kelly Holmes and Kent County Council leader Paul Carter at an event in Maidstone.

The Kent School Disability Games were opened by Paralympic champion Danny Crates yesterday and more than 500 youngsters with disabilities will compete in athletics, boccia, cycling, new age kurling, rowing, sitting volleyball, swimming and table cricket.

The Kent School Games, organised by Kent County Council and supported since last October's launch by the KM Group, was the brainchild of Cllr Carter.

He said: "My aim was to raise the profile of competitive school sports and give young people the opportunity to enjoy the immense pleasure of taking part in sport.

"I'm delighted the Kent School Games has been recognised nationally and am confident this event will continue to grow."

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