Gold Olympian Adrian Moorhouse is urging youngsters to take the plunge in the district's first Olympic games.

Bradford Council's Youth Service is calling on 250 young athletes to take part in the three-day event which will be held every year in the run-up to the 2012 Olympics in London.

The 42-year-old, of Bingley, realised a lifetime's ambition when he won the 100m breaststroke title by a fingertip to take gold at the Seoul Olympics in 1988 at the age of 24.

The former Bradford Grammar School pupil is now a swimming commentator for the BBC and managing director of his own company, Lane4, which is named after the lane in which he won Gold Adrian said: "This is a fantastic opportunity for young people in Bradford to showcase their sporting abilities, try new sports and make new friends. I wish them and the organisers the best of luck and I hope these games will be an annual success."

The games will include a variety of sports ranging from water polo and the 100-metre sprint to boccia and new-age curling.

Heats will be held at Keighley Leisure Centre on Tuesday, May 30; Eccleshill swimming pool on Wednesday, May 31; and Horsfall playing fields on Wednesday, June 1.

Council Youth Worker Nazaket Ali, who has organised the event, said: "This is a great way for young people to have a go at lots of different sports and we may even discover some young Olympians.

"We also hope this will help encourage youngsters to take part in sport and exercise, as well as helping us tackle the issue of obesity."

Sports-mad youngsters from West Bowling in Bradford said they couldn't wait for this year's district Olympics.

Grange Technology College student Habib Siddique, 14, said he loved all types of sport.

"I like all sport and get involved with everything, but mainly I like basketball, table tennis and football," he said.

Yasar Yasin, 13, of Bradford Cathedral College, said he would be pitching his javelin skills into the competition. "You make friends at this kind of sporting event," he said.

Jhanger Zaman, 12, a pupil at Tong Sports College, said he loved football and cricket, but was going to put himself to the test by entering the swimming and badminton categories.

"I really want to be a boxer," he said, naming silver medal winner Amir Khan as his idol.

There are two age groups for the games - under 15s and under 17s.

For further details about the events contact Mr Ali on (01274) 433552.