A PROJECT to promote indoor athletics for schoolchildren with disabilities has been hailed a success.

The disability athletics festival, involving almost 50 pupils from special schools in Bexley, Bromley and Lewisham, was held at Erith Leisure Centre, Avenue Road, Erith.

The event was one of four festivals being held across London before the creation of a nationwide athletics competition for disabled students.

Two dozen youngsters, aged between 12 and 14, from Marlborough School, Marlborough Park Avenue, Sidcup, and Woodside School, Halt Robin Road, Belvedere, joined pupils from Rectory Paddock School in St Paul's Cray and Pendragon School, in Downham.

Events included throwing, standing long jump and running.

The event was organised by the London Disability Sports Partnership, Amateur Athletics Association, Bexley (Trinity) Sports Partnership and Parkwood Leisure.