Pupils with an enthusiasm for athletics now have the chance to be fast-tracked to sporting success.

The joint scheme, involving the Metropolitan Police, Barnet Council and Olympic athletes has been launched in the borough, with training sessions taking place every Tuesday at Copthall Stadium, in Mill Hill.

“Met Track” has already been trialled in other London boroughs and offers children aged between ten and 17 the chance to be trained by professional athletes using the track and field facilities.

A council spokesman said: “The aim is to deter young people who may have been involved in antisocial behaviour in the past and encourage them to pursue an active path in sport.”

The Mayor of Barnet, Councillor John Marshall, was joined by councillors, children and coaches to help kick-start the project.

Councillor Fiona Bulmer, cabinet member for children’s services, praised the initiative for giving young people the chance of an active start in life.

“It’s an absolutely fantastic initiative,” she said.

“There will be hundreds of young people who will be able to get involved in sport at a really high level with some really inspiring coaching.

“I hope they realise how sport can give them the determination, courage and commitment so they can see if they work hard, they can achieve something, whether it is on the running track, at school or in their future careers.”

The initiative in Barnet is being spearheaded by Sergeant Andy Taylor, the schools’ liaison officer. He said: “If you give young people the opportunity to get off the streets, it can help them and give them a chance to see how far they can go.”

Pupils from 15 of the borough’s schools will take part in the scheme.

Team GB triple jumper, JJ Jegede will help train the children. He said: “Normally, some people have raw talent and kids have got a lot of energy and, if they channel it in the right way, they can get better performances. We can get kids that do have a lot of talent who can potentially become Olympians.”