GB international runner Emily Pidgeon delivered a £2,000 cheque to Merton Council this week to help develop an Olympic and Paralympic legacy in the borough.

The cabinet member for community and culture at the council, Councillor Nick Draper, and local young people accepted the cheque at a Girls Football training session at King Georges Playing Fields on May 9.

The £2,000 is part of the 2013 Balfour Beatty Sport Development Grants with 95.8 Capital FM Help a Capital Child campaign.

The cheque is one of 17 made to London boroughs totalling almost £35,000 to deliver funding to London community projects that enable disadvantaged youngsters to take part in sport or physical activity.

The Merton project is targeted at deprived areas in the borough for those with less access to sport who are being delivered professional coaching sessions in cycling, boccia, girls cricket, volleyball and girls football leading towards competing at the London Youth Games.

Eight sessions of girls football are being delivered with an additional opportunity to join with local clubs AFC Wimbledon or Tooting and Mitcham FC to continue development.

Coun Draper, said: "I'm delighted that Merton has secured this sport development grant. Sport and exercise is essential to the health and happiness of our young people in Merton and I'd like to thank everyone involved in helping them to participate in sport at such a high standard through the London Youth Games.

“Thanks also to Balfour Beatty and Capital FM for helping us to give Merton a great opportunity to get involved in this year's games."

For more information, contact leisure and development officer Martel Atterbury on Martel.Atterbury@merton.gov.uk or 020 8545 3716 or visit londonyouthgames.org.