Cricket legend Ian Botham led a mission to uncover Britain's sporting gems for the next generation.

England's greatest all-round cricketer joined rugby-playing son Liam at the launch of the Active Sports Talent Camp in Eastbourne.

More than 10,000 potential champions are expected to join the nine multi-sport camps across the country in June and July as Britain gears up for the Manchester 2002 Games.

To launch the scheme, some of Britain's most accomplished sportsmen turned out at the Devonshire Park International Lawn Tennis Centre.

Youngsters performed a spectacular display of acrobatics in front of the Bothams, ex-West Ham and England midfielder Trevor Brooking and Olympic hurdler Jon Ridgeon.

Ian "Beefy" Botham said: "This is an important initiative because we have all too often let young sportsmen and women, who could go on to be world-beaters, slip through the net."

The South-East Active Sports Camp is being held for the first time in Eastbourne on June 29 and 30 where youngsters aged nine to 16 will be coached by professionals.

They will take part in athletics, basketball, girls' football, hockey, netball, rugby union, rugby league, swimming and tennis.

The idea for Active Sports Talent Camps came from officials who wanted to mark the 2002 Commonwealth Games by investing in tomorrow's sport talents.

Councillor Barbara Goodall, Cabinet member for Leisure on Eastbourne Borough Council, said: "We are delighted our £3 million sports park along with Eastbourne's other sporting centres will be fully utilised for this exciting new event."