More than a thousand children from seven village teams lined up at Saddleworth School on Saturday, September 5 for the opening ceremony of the Saddleworth Village Olympics, hosted by chairman Stephen Hewitt.

They started with long jumping before a day of tug of war and athletics. The competition continues across schools in Saddleworth until September 20, with the closing ceremony in Diggle.

Chants for Uppermill, Delph and Denshaw and LGFG, for Lydgate, Grasscroft, Friezland and Grotton, filled the opening ceremony.

"This is all about getting involved in sports and staying active," Stephen told Saddleworth Independent. "It's not about winning. If you win, that's great, but if you don't, have fun."

The games are now in their 41 st year. It is Stephen's final Village Olympics as chairman after four years in the role, with ex-PE teacher Scott Chapman set to take over. Stephen said he will still be involved in the background and will be at some events.

Speaking about his final opening ceremony, he said: "The kids are at the long jumping now and are ready and raring to go. That's the main thing; they don't want to listen to me drone on, they just want to be doing sports."