Faversham and Mid-Kent MP Hugh Robertson has spoken of his pride at being involved in the launch of the Kent School Games.

The Shadow Sports and Olympic spokesman said he has been following the project with interest ever since the initial idea from Kent County Council leader Paul Carter four years ago.

The Games – which were first held in 2008 – take place every other year and offer more than 30,000 youngsters aged five to 16 from almost 550 schools the chance to compete in 38 different sports, including disability sports.

Local heats began in October with the finals of the events taking place next July in what has fast become Europe’s largest school sports event.

Mr Robertson said: "I’m proud to have been involved with the Kent School Games. Sport has an established track record of helping children perform better at school, lead active lifestyles and become better-rounded and integrated young people.

He added: "The Kent School Games has been such a plus that if we win the General Election and I am still doing my current job then I intend to use it as a template for a new national schools competition. It is a simple format and it works."

Mr Robertson said that while the latest crop of Kent’s budding Backleys and Holmes’ might be too young to feature at the London 2012 Olympics, he hoped the Kent School Games could be the first step on the path to Olympic glory in the future.

He said: "It may be too soon for 2012 but hopefully we will see the benefits in the 2016 and 2020 Olympics and as a result of the Kent Schools Games, we’ll see more Kent schools competing in sport from now on."