SCHOOLS in East Lancashire today pledged to help find the country's sporting stars of the future.

The reaction came after the Office for Standards in Education warned that schools must raise their game in spotting potential Olympic winners.

Specialist sports colleges like Blackburn's St Bede's RC High School, Norden High School, Rishton, and St Theodore's RC in Burnley, were told to get better at identifying students who may have what it takes to become professional sportsmen and women.

But the schools today revealed far-reaching plans to develop and invest in sport over the coming months.

Denise Parkinson, head teacher at Norden, said the school was applying for the government's Hub status, part of the Physical Education School Sport and Club Links scheme, which could generate a further £250,000 for sports training.

She said: "All schools need to be provided with the resources not only to produce Olympic stars but to help all young people with a healthy life and all the benefits sport can provide.

"As a sports college we will be looking to provide greater opportunities and with additional funds we could well produce some Olympic stars."

Newly-appointed director of sport at St Theodore's, Andy Montrose, said teachers were taking part in the Junior Athletic Education programme to give them crucial tips on spotting talent.

The school is also set to launch base line assessments from next September for Year 7s to identify youngsters with sports skills as soon as possible.

He said: "There are several initiatives aimed at spotting talent and we'll find them and their core strengths. But not just that, making sure that athletes do not get distracted or torn between too many activities. It is also important to offer guidance so that potential stars don't fail to reach their full potential."