FORGET London 2012, Leigh is limbering up for its own exciting summer of sport.

The Journal can reveal that on Tuesday, July 2, the Leigh Games will be held at Leigh Sports Village.

And on Friday head teachers, heads of sport and representatives of clubs and agencies from across the area gathered to hear more about plans for the event.

MP Andy Burnham, who is behind the ambitious project, said: "I want people to circle the evening of Tuesday, July 2 in the diary.

"All of Leigh is invited to come down to the LSV and be a part of what promises to be a great celebration of our town and its young people.

"2012 was about London but, in 2013, all eyes will be on Leigh. We will be leading the way in keeping the 2012 spirit alive."

The Leigh Games is aimed at pupils in year seven upwards from 10 high schools across the area and will start in the afternoon and run into the evening, when family members will be able to attend.

There are also plans in the pipeline for a separate event for primary schoolchildren.

While preparations are still in their early stages, many clubs have already expressed their interest in being involved in the day, which will feature a mix of traditional and non-traditional sports.

Simon Toon, chief executive of Leigh SportsVillage, said: "With the Rugby League World Cup taking place later this year there will be a world class event in your back yard. We want to create a community village and the Leigh Games will be a catalyst for this. It really will be our year for sport."

Hayley Smith, editor of the Journal which is the official media partner for the Leigh Games, added: "We feel extremely proud to be at the start of something exciting but we need the help of every high school to make it as successful as possible.

"Over the coming weeks we will be publishing more details about the event and we want schools to send us their stories, pictures and videos of their preparations in the run-up to the big day."