IT'S all change tomorrow as the Hampshire Schools' Track & Field Championships switch from their traditional Portsmouth venue to Southampton.

Due to spiralling costs at Portsmouth's Mountbatten Centre, the annual feast of athletics, which is expected to attract 700-800 children, is being shifted up the coast to the Sports Centre at Bassett, pictured (11am start).

"Portsmouth has got very expensive," admitted Eileen Williams, past chairman of the Hampshire Schools' Athletic Association and track referee for tomorrow's event.

"It's not just the basic cost, but we have to pay for all sorts of extras such as the ground crew."

Unlike the Mountbatten Centre, which boasts a large, covered stand and an on-site sports centre with extensive changing and catering facilities, Southampton has little by way of shelter and organisers will be erecting a marquee tomorrow to protect against rain or strong sun.

But, as far as the track and field facilities are concerned, HSAA secretary Geoff Cunliffe is convinced Southampton boast the best in the county.

Three years ago the Sports Centre track successfully staged the English Schools' Track & Field Cup final and last September the city council spruced it up again ahead of the ES National Combined Events Championships.

"Southampton Leisure Services invested a lot of money to stage that national final," said Cunliffe.

"They steam-cleaned the track, repaired any damage and remarked it. They provided a new high jump bed and all the hurdles and throwing equipment is top-notch.

"For the kids competing, it's the best facility around."

Williams agreed: "There has been a lot done at Southampton. There is a lot of new equipment and they have reorganised the equipment store and provided trolleys for transporting things around.

"The big problem at Southampton is the accommodation. The stand is not very big but, fortunately, there's room around the track to set up small tents.

"The changing facilities aren't the best but most of the athletes will come changed anyway.

"If they could get some permanent rooms for the scorers and some decent toilets, we'd be okay."

With England opening their World Cup campaign against Paraguay tomorrow, the fear is that some youngsters will be kept away by the lure of football.

But the English Schools' Championships are beckoning in Gateshead on July 7/8, so there is plenty at stake for the athletes.

Among the local lights expected to shine are Winchester's Emma Buckett in the junior girls' high jump, on-song sprinters Sophie Mead, Amy Matthews and Bradley Alouah-Peasah, intermediate middle distance pair Louise Webb and Rebecca Gough, and in-form thrower Harpal Chana.