Learning disabled gain events at school sport competition

The move comes after the Equality and Human Rights Commission threatened the Youth Sport Trust, which runs the games, with legal action.

The trust insisted it has been looking to include bespoke events for learning disabled children for some time. It added that learning disabled children can already take part alongside other young athletes.

But a spokeswoman for the commission said not having bespoke events for learning disabled children amounted to exclusion, and said the change in policy had come about following a meeting where legal action was discussed.

The Youth Sport Trust is speaking with disability charity Mencap and the governing bodies for several sports with a view to including bespoke athletics, swimming and table tennis events for learning disabled children and young people.

Steve Grainger, chief executive of the Youth Sport Trust, said: "Following recent dialogue with Mencap, we have agreed to work with them and the national governing bodies of sport to explore the opportunities and timescales for introducing specific events and to ensure there are clear pathways for young people with learning disabilities to progress from local to national level competition."