Shaftesbury Barnet athlete Tasha Danvers officially opened the London Youth Games at Crystal Palace.

She was chosen for the honour because of her triumphs for Britain at the recent Beijing Olympics, where she gained a bronze. She is also a former Games competitor.

Danvers carried the official Games torch through a crowd of 3,000 excited primary school children at Crystal Palace National Sports Centre, before lighting the cauldron.

Commenting on the Games, Danvers said: "The London Youth were one of the highlights of my year when I was younger. I remember being very excited about competing and the Games probably gave me some of the experience of competing at a big event that I now use today in events like the World Championships and the Olympics. I'm glad I was a part of the London Youth Games."

Barnet finished 14th overall after the weekend's final two days of competition.

The borough had already scooped gold in the fencing.

There was also a second place in the table tennis, and third place-finishes in the squash (girls) and athletics (girls).

All 33 London boroughs took part, while there was also a Mini Games for younger children.