Olympians of the future gathered at Gillingham's Black Lion leisure centre on Tuesday for the launch of the new Medway Sporting Academy.

Children from three schools met 2004 Paralympic 800m gold medalist Danny Crates before taking part in a morning of activities designed to test various skills.

It is hoped the Medway Sporting Academy, the first of its kind in the country, could produce future world champions through sport skill development over five years.

Children from Featherby Junior School, St Margaret's Junior School and Park Wood Junior School were all involved in the tests for speed, reactions and other natural abilities.

Mr Crates, who did not take part in the Beijing Olympics because of injury, said: "I think other regions could learn a lot from this academy.

"Medway is not just concentrating on 2012 but this is about investing in the future."

Full coverage in Friday's print edition of the Medway Messenger