Starting gun is fired for Games

Six-a-side football is among the sports played at the Games

Sports Minister Richard Caborn has visited Coventry to get the city ready for the International Children's Games.

Mr Caborn fired a starting pistol outside the civic centre on Wednesday, prompting steeplejacks to unveil one of several advertising posters.

Coventry is gearing up to welcome more than 1000 competitors and officials from 50 nations in July.

The city council pledges the Games will be true to the aims of promoting peace, reconciliation and internationalism.

The Games first began in 1968, and bring together children aged between 12 and 15.

Each poster in the series features a young athlete playing his or her chosen sport against a Coventry landmark.

The poster unveiled on Wednesday features 14-year-old hurdler Naomi Edwards, who trains with the Coventry Godiva club.

The Games run from 6-11 July.