Police officers welcomed more than 70 children from schools across Sandbach at the launch of this year's multi-sport event - 'Salt Wars'.

The launch saw Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) from Crewe Local Policing Unit (LPU) kick start the event which welcomed youngsters to Sandbach School.

During the event, the PCSOs joined in with the activities such as football, rugby and rounders.

The star of the show was Ethan Jackson scored the winning penalty for his team in the shootout, to send him into the final to play against the winners of the groups from the next two weeks in Holmes Chapel and Middlewich at Crewe Alexandra's home match against Burton Albion on Saturday 18 September.

The event will continue throughout August and will end with a celebratory event at the home of Crewe Alexandra, where they will receive certificates, a medal and a ticket to the home match for Crewe Burton Albion.

On Thursday, the event goes to Holmes Chapel Comprehensive School and then Middlewich High School Saturday 21st August with the big celebration at The Alexandra Stadium on Saturday 28th August.

Speaking after the Sandbach event, PCSO's Scott Watson and Tom Faulkner said: "We were amazed with the turnout. Everyone put in the effort and there were some top kids. It was a massive success for us.

"Many of the kids who came last year came this year and they recognised and remembered us so it was great to see them again.

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"The kids asked us questions about our role within the police and what areas we cover, the police type of questions, as well as the sport so; it was nice to break down that barrier.

"It was nice to have some banter between the kids and the police officers, even when uniformed officers joined in. It shows that we are human.

"This was just the first one so it will just keep on getting bigger over the years.

"The event would not have gone ahead if it weren't for the resources that we have received from Crewe Alexandra.

They have given us over £20,000 worth of support so a massive thank you goes out to the football club."