A VALE of Glamorgan primary school has hosted a special event for young chess enthusiasts.

St Bride's Major Church in Wales was the venue for one of six tournaments making up the Welsh Junior Chess Grand Prix which started in September last year.

The event provides competitive games for children at four age levels from under eight to under 18.

St Bride's were delighted to host an event which attracted competitors from all over Wales, and teacher Jill Jury said: "The aim of the Grand Prix is to give as many children as possible the opportunity to play regular competitive chess, to develop and hone their skills and to make new friends and develop team spirit.

"By offering the chance to play chess regularly at a competitive level, it also provides an opportunity for any child who has ability to rise to the top and gain the attention at national level - something that was not easy under the old system of only a very few tournaments.

"Indeed, several new talents have come to the fore to confirm the success of the venture." While Welsh chess has found it extremely difficult to attract sponsors, the Grand Prix is being supported by London-based Tournament Chess supplies, and Ms Jury added: "We are extremely grateful to the company for this help."

At each individual tournament, children's top four scores are recorded and added together for a final GP total.

Almost 200 children have entered at least one GP event, and Ms Jury said: "Schools and individuals, including parents, have given up a lot of their time to encourage and enable children to go along to a series of well run and happy, though extremely competitive, events, and it is thanks to them that it has been so successful in its first year.

"Next year we expect the Grand Prix to be even bigger and better, with many more schools being invited to participate."