A NEW Eastleigh junior athletic club - one of the first of its kind in the borough - will help youngsters to get their Olympic hopes off the starting blocks.

Eastleigh and District Junior Athletic Club has set up a base at Toynbee School, Chandler's Ford, and will open to all youngsters aged between nine and 17.

Eastleigh council has provided financial support and is helping the club to clinch Lottery cash through the Awards for All scheme run by Sport England.

The club will meet every Sunday morning at Toynbee School, and this will be developed next year to include midweek evening sessions.

Club secretary Jacqui May said: "We are delighted to have moved into the borough, where we have identified a need for a junior athletic club.

"We have recruited three new coaches and officials, and we are now looking for new members of all abilities to join us."

The club meets each Sunday from 10.30am to 12.30pm at Toynbee School.

Call Jacqui on 023 8089 4636 or 07718 572795 for details.