FURNESS athletes will have some Olympic inspiration when they compete in the Cumbria School Games next month.

Pupils from Holy Family and Askam Village School will represent the district in the sportshall athletics finals in Penrith.

They will take on representatives from Allerdale, Carlisle, Copeland, Eden and South Lakes on March 23, watched by Great Britain steeplechaser Eilish McColgan. Children will battle it out in relay races, throwing and jumping events in the first finals of this year’s School Games.

Furness came out on top in the 2015 finals, with Sacred Heart finishing first and Lindal and Martin School second.

McColgan, who made senior Great Britain debut came at the 2011 European Team Championship, before taking part in the 3000m steeplechase at the London Olympics, will help spur this year’s participants on. She is attending in her capacity as one of Sport England’s Sporting Champions, and is excited about interacting with the young people at the event.

“Having competed at the Olympics and World Championships, I feel it is really important for me to give something back to sport because it has given me so much,” said McColgan, the daughter of 1991 world 10,000m champion Liz.

“That is why I love being a Sport England Sporting Champion and working with young people.I am looking forward to doing just that at the upcoming Cumbria School Games.

“I am excited to meet all the young participants and volunteers in attendance and my aim is to raise their aspirations of what they can achieve.

“I know that it will be a fantastic event so I cannot wait for the action to get under way in Penrith.”