A WHOLE host of south Essex’s top young sporting talent will get the chance to compete in the Olympic venues over the next week.

This weekend sees university students compete in the Olympic Stadium as part of the British Universities Championships.

The likes of Georgia Atkins and Tom Frith, from Southend, and Basildon AC’s Michael Bartlett will all be representing their universities.

Running as part of the event are a selection of UK Athletics races which will also feature local athletes.

Jessica Judd, Hayley McLean, Richard Morrissey, Gemma Kersey and Lauren Bouchard will all be taking part in the event, which will take place in front of 45,000 people.

A few days’ later, three local athletes will be taking part in the UK School Games at the stadium.

Sixteen-year-olds Kaylee Dodd, Poppy Lake and Sophie Riches will all be competing at the event which features the best young talent in the country.

>For a full preview, see Friday’s Echo.