THE weather may not have been kind, but it didn’t stop hundreds of pupils from making the first Leigh Games a resounding success.

Over two days Leigh Sports Village was filled with excited schoolchildren as they competed in a variety of sporting events, from dodgeball and cheerleading to elite athletics and swimming.

Lowton High School topped the table in Tuesday evening’s elite competition, but all pupils were praised for their efforts and behaviour during the sporting spectacular.

Leigh MP Andy Burnham, whose idea it was to host the games, said: “I would like to thank everyone who played a part in making the first Leigh Games such a great success.

“Over the course of the two days, hundreds of children got the chance to take part and it was brilliant to see the smiles on their faces.

“It was for days like these that the Leigh Sports Village was built and we hope to do it all again in 2015.

“If we can make the Leigh Games a permanent fixture in the calendar, we will cement Leigh’s name as one of the top sporting towns in the country.”

Speaking at the launch of the event, Trevor Barton, chairman of Leigh Centurions Community Foundation, said: “I’m delighted to be here today.

“We started planning for these facilities before these children were born and so to see the third or fourth generation using them is great.

“That’s what gives me the greatest buzz.

“The best habits in life are built when people are having fun. So to see all the youngsters here is fantastic as it will have such a positive impact not only on them but also on their families.”

Check out our gallery of pictures here.