While the nation remains on tenterhooks for results in the Paris Paralympics, more than 1,200 children are gearing up to celebrate Saddleworth’s very own Village Olympics this weekend.

On Saturday, the Saddleworth Village Olympics' colourful opening ceremony launches at 9am at Saddleworth School, followed by the heavily contested athletics and tug-of-war events.

And a secret special guest with four Guinness World records will help open the games this year. 

There will also be the usual stalls, food vendors and this year Saddleworth School is opening their canteen to serve food and drinks as well.

In addition, there will be a sweet stall run by Saddleworth Rangers, a pizza oven and the Gate Inn’s catering van offering food including their loaded fries.

(Image: Steve Hewitt)

The organisers say the games, now in its 39th year, grow stronger every year.

To keep up with demand, this year a new registration model was launched where parents and carers registered their details and then added their children to their account - meaning they will not have to register their details every year just update their children’s details.

The SVO’s chairman, Stephen Hewitt, said: “Seeing the opening ceremony come to life this weekend will make all the hard work and stress worthwhile.

“I’d like to thank all the sponsors and donations we’ve received that make the games possible. Thanks to all the volunteers from central committee, to coaches and team leaders who ensure the games can go ahead and start planning as early as April. Without them, there’d be no games.

“I’d like to wish all the competitors the best of luck in the games this year, remember it’s taking part that really counts and making new friends along the way. If you win, fantastic, if not, as long as you have fun that’s the main thing.”

He added: "I hope you’ve been watching the Paralympics in Paris and seen how great those athletes are and they’ve hopefully inspired you to do your best in our games.”