Olympian Nick Buckfield believes the future of sport in the county is bright after watching the BAA Gatwick Sussex Youth Games.

More than 1,500 competitors, aged 12 and 13 from 13 local authorities, took part in the popular annual event.

It featured 13 events around Horsham at Broadbridge Heath Leisure Centre, Horsham Park and Christ's Hospital School.

Buckfield, who will compete in the pole vault for Great Britain in Athens, took time out from training to hand out medals and trophies.

He said: "I wish there had been something like this when I was younger because it was brilliant.

"It gives children the chance to try out sports they might not otherwise think about and improves those who want to get better.

"The standard was pretty high and everyone seemed to really enjoy it which is the main thing.

"It's very important to encourage youngsters because they are the Olympic athletes of the future. I'm sure I saw a few of them competing."

Wealden won the athletics event for the first time after a dramatic finish to the girls' relay. The team dropped the baton at the second change-over but still won the race, with Olivia Pratt coming home in the last leg.

Olivia also won gold in the 100m and silver in the ball-throwing. Other top Wealden performers included Lashawn Martin, who won silver in the 100m, triple-jump silver medalist Dan Cornish, Phoebe Walker, with bronze in the 100m, and the boys relay team who won the silver.

Special Wealden sports development manager Andy Paine said: "All the athletes did brilliantly, especially as we didn't do any training as a team.

"I set all the schools in the Wealden area special fitness tests and picked the squad, so it is a tribute to the schools that we did so well."

Ned Walker, 12, and Sam Scales, 12, were in the Wealden athletics team.

Ned said: "This event has made me want to do even more sport. It's great to get a medal and trophy for doing well and it makes you want to train harder for the next time so you can win again."

Sam said: "This was the first time I had taken part and it was brilliant. I definitely want to do it again and can't wait for next year."

Eastbourne claimed the most number of first places overall. They won the tennis, girls' basketball, mixed hockey and girls' football.

The football team of Amanda Fenner, Sam Hummerstone, Ashleigh Jenkinson, Kirby Kirsty-Anne, Georgina Nkune, Kelly Noakes and Lianne Williams were presented with their trophy by Arsenal and England captain Faye White.

White, from Horsham, said: "I was impressed with the standard of the whole event. It's a great way to increase participation in sports like girls' football.

"Hopefully more girls will take it up because of events like this and that will raise the level of the game."

Mid Sussex won the boys' basketball, netball and a new event, aquathlon, which involved swimming and running.

Basketball manager Rob Birchmore said: "We had players from East Grinstead, Haywards Heath and Burgess Hill and we all gelled really well.

"We won the title last year but the competition was tough again because there were some very talented individuals taking part."

Hastings won two titles in boccia (similar to boules for disabled people) and table tennis. Lewes claimed the girls' cricket trophy, Chichester won the mild learning difficulties football event and Arun came first in the girls rugby.

Spirit Of The Games trophies were also handed out to the teams in each event that displayed outstanding sporting behaviour.