Olympians under starter’s orders

Organisers of the Saddleworth Olympics say they are ready for action this weekend as weather forecasters predict brighter skies.

However, the rugby pitch on Churchill Playing Fields in Greenfield — the scene of a major scare this week over suspected contaminated water — will be avoided after some children came out in a mystery rash.

Instead, rugby will take place on a different part of the field. The water scare was another cruel blow to the Saddleworth Olympics, a prized event for more than 1,200 schoolchildren from the villages.

Events should have been up and running a fortnight ago. But the weekend was a wash-out and everything was put back a week. Even then, hordes of expectant youngsters were limited to a restricted timetable.

Chairman Ben Hilton has criticised Oldham Council for its failure to solve the flooding problem. But the council claimed the rain was so severe it was difficult to get to the areas which needed attention in time.

l Tennis takes place at Tame Valley Tennis Club on Saturday, with cricket (Saddleworth Sports Club), football, rugby, basketball and netball (Churchill fields) on Sunday.