The search has started across the Bradford district to find a future Olympic diving champion.

Coaches from the Council's Sport and Leisure Services have visited local primary schools as they began their hunt.

The move is part of a national programme called 'Diving Diamonds', which is being organised by British Diving to promote the sport among young people.

In Bradford, the scheme forms part of Sport and Leisure Service's b active campaign to encourage people of all ages to try new activities and improve their fitness levels.

Local children will also benefit from expert guidance from one of the United Kingdom's top junior diving coaches.

Juan Adolfo Gutierrez Munoz - known as Fito - joined the Council's coaching team four years ago and was picked to join other top coaches at a Junior Olympic diving camp in Southampton last month.

The Mexican-born coach has trained some of the United Kingdom's leading junior divers.

The local selection process will start with gymnastics and fitness tests in 12 schools over the next few weeks.

About 200 children will then be invited to a series of training sessions starting next month at Shipley Pool. Bradford Council's diving development manager Sally Freeman said: "We will be seeing hundreds of children in local schools as part of the Diving Diamonds programme, which aims to find and train young people to become top-class competitors.

"We will also be getting the b active message across that fitness is fun and helps the development of young people.

"Those showing most promise will be offered specialist training at Shipley Pool. We know we have some talented youngsters, and this is a great way of helping to find the champions of tomorrow."

Councillor Anne Hawkesworth, executive member for the environment, said: "Each year, hundreds of young people take part in the Bradford Diving Training Scheme run by the Sport and Leisure Service, and a number go on to excel in regional and national competitions.

"This programme is a great way of promoting diving and giving young people the benefit of expert coaching.

"With the help of local schools, the Council aims to start the search of a potential national and Olympic champion now."

The 12 local primary schools taking part in the Diving Diamonds programme are: Hoyle Court (Baildon), Wils-den, Oxenhope, St Joseph's (Bingley), Sandal, Haworth, Harden, Lees, St Walburga's (Shipley), St Anthony's (Ship-ley), Crossflatts and St Oswald's (Guiseley).