OLYMPIC gold medalists kicked off an initiative yesterday aimed at youngsters living in areas identified as deprived.

Linford Christie and Darren Campbell were at the Golf Links Estate for a one-day event running nationally called Street Athletics.

Youngsters from schools across the borough including nearby Dormers Wells School in Dormers Wells Lane came to battle it out in Marconi Way after school at 3.30pm.

A track was set out and participants were split up into age groups to race against each other in a 60m sprint.

Linford and Darren have pioneered the scheme which they say targets youngsters who are not engaged in mainstream sports.

Winners from the run were invited to attend the national finals to compete with children from across the country.

Speaking about the event, Linford, said: "Street Athletics is an amazing project now in its fourth year. We have seen thousands of young people taking part in races across the country.

"For us it began on the streets challenging other kids from other estates to race against us and if we hadn't have done that we never would have got to where we are today."

Darren, said: "Athletics has shown me that anything is possible if you put your mind to it and Street Athletics has given young people in Ealing the opportunity to test themselves whilst having lots of fun."

Alongside races were the Kombat Breakers who were finalists in last year's Britain's Got Talent.

The group were seeking budding young break dancers to take to the floor to showcase their talents in a dance off yesterday.