AS the countdown to the world’s biggest sporting event begins, Olympic fever is already alive and kicking in Dorset.

Hundreds of children from across the county have been limbering up for their own Olympic Gymnastics Festivals organised by The Blandford School and the town’s gymnastics club.

The event got off to a flying start last month with pupils from eight local primary schools taking part in an Olympic-style sports event which will culminate with a major Olympic Games Festival for all the schools at Blandford Army Camp in July.

Jill Bailey, one of the organisers and sports teachers at The Blandford School, said they were keen to embrace this once in a lifetime event.

“We have been running our own Olympic Gymnastic Festivals for seven years now but this year it is definitely bigger and better than ever. We find the Olympics is a theme that really captures the children’s imaginations - now more than ever because Dorset is officially an Olympic county.

“We have even had a fake Olympic torch procession in previous years but this year the real thing will be passing through the town so we want to make sure that we make the most of it.”

Other events at the school include plans for a Young Ambassador training day for year six pupils.

Mrs Bailey added: “The Games is a once in a lifetime event, so we want to embrace it and encourage our pupils to help promote London 2012 and the Olympic values. And you never know, some of these children could be the Olympic stars of the future.”