The children – from Whitley Lodge, Langley, Marine Park, Southridge and Rockcliffe first schools – had a great time as they enjoyed their first ever Bisi Badminton Festival.

Among the badminton skills they practised were hitting shuttlecocks into hoops and nets and onto target scoring mats, a footwork circuit, and a shuttle relay, as well as playing some rallies over lower nets.

Two of the schools already have their own after school badminton clubs, and hopefully more will follow suit.

Ros Liew, the school sports co-ordinator who organised the festival, ably assisted by sports leaders from Whitley Bay High School, was also delighted with the success of the festival.

Badminton development officer Norma Waterfield, who helped at the event, said: "It was really great to see so many children having fun as they practised badminton activities.

"Hopefully a lot of them will go on to take up the sport. Badminton is such a great sport for all ages and abilities. Here in North Tyneside there are lots of badminton opportunities."