MORE than 200 schoolchildren packed into the Link Centre for an ice hockey jamboree.

Yesterday's event was organised to celebrate 100 years of the sport, and brought together budding stars of the future from across the south west.

The jamboree was organised by the International Ice Hockey Federation, as part of similar events across the country.

Children aged between five and 10 battled it out on the ice.

Sue Godfrey, one of the organisers of the event, said: "Hockey is a wonderful sport and we're lucky in Swindon to have some excellent players.

"A lot of our young players have represented Great Britain and England, as well as playing in the south west conference.

"Today the children are learning new skills and practising their handling and stick skills."

Adam Grinnitt, eight, from Peterborough, has been playing ice hockey for four years.

He said: "I really like ice hockey because you can have a lot of fun and meet lots of people."

Harry Govey, eight, from Swindon has been playing for Swindon Cubs for two years.

He said: "Today we've been doing some training and learning new skills.

"I think ice hockey is a really great game and more people should play it."

Josh Price, eight, has been with Swindon Cubs for three years.

"I love it because you get to have lots of fights, and that's really good fun," he said.

"Today has been interesting - I've enjoyed myself and I've also learned a lot."