World cycling champion Mark Cavendish reckons this year's P&G Surrey School Games is going to be the best yet.

The Olympic gold medal hopeful has given his backing to the programme, organised by Surrey County Council, to get more young people involved in sport and cultural activities in the lead up to the 2012 Games.

Mark Cavendish, said: "The P&G Surrey School Games has my full support and I hear it is going to be even bigger and better than last year. This is going to be the most exciting year of sport this country has ever seen and it is fantastic that in Surrey there are opportunities for young people to try out new sports including cycling."

The 2012 P&G Surrey School Games kicked off on Friday 20 January at ACS International School Cobham.

The launch featured displays of sport by a number of local schools and performances by Woolmer Hill School dance group and St. Dunstan's school choir.

Guest speakers included Olympic track cyclist hopeful Dave Daniell and Farnham based Paralympian cyclist Rachel Morris who won gold in Beijing.

Held over 150 days, the school games will involve contests in over 20 sports including athletics, dodgeball, golf and cycling with a host of events for young people with disabilities. More than 5,500 young people are expected to take part.

This year the programme also includes art contests such as creative writing and illustration competitions.

Surrey County Council's Cabinet Member for Community Services and the 2012 Games Denise Saliagopoulos said: "We're encouraging as many young people as possible to take part in sport and the P&G Surrey School Games is a great way of doing this. I hope these events will inspire the next generation of Olympic hopefuls and help our young people become more active and live healthier lifestyles. It is fantastic to have the support of some of the world's best athletes including BBC Sports Personality of the Year winner Mark Cavendish."

Surrey County Council's Chairman, Mrs Lavinia Sealy said: "Last summer, the P&G Surrey School Games saw around 3,500 children take part in 100 days of sport, including athletics, hockey and mountain biking. This year it is going to be even bigger providing more opportunities for young people including those with disabilities to represent their school in county competition."

Visit Go Surrey website for more information.