SCHOOLCHILDREN mixed with Olympic athletes in a pilot project for young people.

Met-Track is the brainchild of Bexleyheath police superintendent John Powell, himself an Olympic athletics coach.

His aim is to use sport as a fun and healthy alternative to anti-social behaviour.

All of Bexley's secondary schools were told about the venture and 400 pupils aged between 12 and 14 were invited to Erith Athletics Stadium, Avenue Road, Erith, to take part in three days of athletics and football coaching.

The pupils were impressed by the standard of coaching.

Syldi Harding, 13, from the Howbury Centre Pupil Referral Unit, limbered up with the shot putt and long jump.

He said: "I learned how to hold the shot correctly and take the right body shape for throwing.

"When you see the long jump on television, it looks really difficult but when you are taught by professional coaches, it all starts to make sense."

Among the top athletes who offered their services were Olympic relay sprinter Dwayne Grant, top junior sprinter James Ellington, former Olympic sprint finalist Donovan Reid, British national team coach Clarence Callender, top UK discus thrower Abdul Buhari and British international throwing coach Mark Chapman.

Paralympic 800m champion and world record holder Danny Crates was full of praise for the event.

He said: "Not everyone gets a chance to train with the country's best athletes."

Superintendent Powell said: "Many of the students had their eyes opened as to what sport is really about.

"Some are already looking to take things further by joining an athletics club, following the advice they have been able to get at Met-Track."

Supported by Bexley Council, Charlton Athletic and a number of athletics organisations, Mr Powell hopes Met-Track will spread throughout the capital in time to hold a mini-games to coincide with the Beijing Olympics in 2008.