A major sports event for schoolchildren in Norfolk has been given a funding boost after the National Lottery awarded £45,000 for the games to thrive.

The Norfolk School Games, which includes the Summer and Winter Games, has been given the money to build on the event's success in previous years.

The local organising committee for Norfolk has been awarded the funding from Sport England to deliver the School Games next year.

The Games are the culmination of annual competitions within School Sport Partnerships, with winners progressing to compete across more than 30 sports including athletics, wheelchair basketball, hockey, sitting volleyball and badminton.

The event is in its third year with the largest calendar of competition to date.

Qualifying and county final competitions will involve 15,000 young people from primary and secondary schools taking part, building on the 10,000 that competed last year.

The 2014 School Games sees the inclusion of such sports as sailing and cycling for the first time giving young people a chance to learn and compete in sports they otherwise would not have had the opportunity to do, while there will also be sports for youngsters with a disability.

Stephen Hulme, School Games project manager, said: 'The Norfolk School Games continues to grow and develop, engaging more young people participating in more competitive sports across the county. This is the most inclusive games to date and will see a wide range of opportunities for all young people to reach their personal best.'

The Winter Games will be from March 7-14 and the Summer Games from June 30-July 4. For more information on how to get involved, visit www.norfolkschoolgames.co.uk.