ORGANISERS of this weekend's Worcestershire Youth Games will be casting anxious eyes skywards on Sunday morning.

They know that the weather will play a key role in whether the event, being staged in Droitwich Spa, will be as big a success as last year.

Consequently they hope that the recent heavy rain eases off for one day, with 600 competitors and around 1,500 spectators expected for the event.

Sue Healey, Wychavon District Council's Leisure Officer who is joint organiser of the event with Steve Brewster, said: "It does depend a lot on the weather.

"As long as it stays dry we are quite happy, but with all the rain we have had, we are having some concerns over the state of the pitches we are using.

"But we are hopeful all the sports will go ahead, and we are very confident that it is going to be a great day."

Wychavon have taken up the reins this year following the success of last year's inaugural event in Worcester, and more than 600 youngsters will be taking part in a variety of different sports.

All six districts in Worcestershire -- Bromsgrove, Malvern Hills, Redditch, Worcester City, Wychavon and Wyre Forest -- will be involved, with the emphasis on participation in sport.

Three venues -- Droitwich Spa Leisure Centre, Droitwich Spa High School and Westacre Middle School -- are being used, and sports featured, all team events in various age groups, are football, hockey, basketball, tennis, netball and tag rugby.

There is also a friendly disability event including games such as boccia and polybat.

The games will be officially opened at 10am, followed at 10.15am by an aerobic warm-up for all competitors. Competitive action begins at 10.45am and continues until 4pm when the presentations take place.

There will be entertainment throughout the day, including a free live concert in the Leisure Centre Arena at 2pm.