A TEAM of disabled children narrowly missed out on the chance to compete at the London Aquatics Centre, the swimming venue for the London 2012 Olympics.

Eight pupils from Arbour Vale School, in Farnham Road, Slough, took part in the Panathlon Challenge Central Swimming Final on Wednesday (4/05) at Stoke Mandeville Stadium – the birthplace of the Paralympic Games.

The team took part in challenges involving rafts, floats, balls and targets but despite their best efforts were beaten by Addington School, Reading.

Kevin Hughes, Arbour Vale School's assistant head of PE, said: "It’s the first time we’ve taken part in a Panathlon swimming event and it was a fantastic day.

"We don’t actually do swimming within the curriculum, so for these guys to get an opportunity to do this is just brilliant."

More than 1,500 children across London boroughs and 16 counties across England have taken part in Panathlon swimming competition so far.

The scheme encourages severely disabled young people to participate in individual and team challenges.