"I am delighted that Coventry is hosting the UK School Games in 2007. Coventry is a city with experience in running a multi-sport event and I know they will do a fantastic job.

"Year-on-year, this event will continue to grow, both in number of sports and competitors, and Glasgow has really set the bar for a successful Games."

Since 1994, £3billion of National Lottery money has been invested in sport across the UK and the Millennium Commission has awarded National Lottery funding to the Youth Sport Trust to run the UK School Games until 2011.

The Games also build on the Government's plans for putting competitive sport back into schools and the Chancellor has committed £6million to go towards staging the Games up to 2011.

The announcement was made by Mike O'Connor, Director of the Millennium Commission, during Sunday's closing ceremony of the inaugural UK School Games in Glasgow.

Ken Taylor, Leader of Coventry City Council, was handed over the UK School Games flag by Councillor John Lynch, Executive Member, Cultural and Leisure Services, Glasgow City Council, marking the official end of the Glasgow Games.

Ken Taylor said:

"It is great news for the city that we have been chosen to host the 2007 UK School Games. We take great pride in Coventry being seen as a can-do city and are rapidly establishing a national reputation as an excellent venue to host prestigious events such as this.

"The fantastic success in hosting last year's International Children's Games obviously counted in our favour and helped cement our growing reputation in delivering national and international events. We now look forward to offering a friendly Coventry welcome to young people from right across the United Kingdom."

Steve Grainger, Chief Executive of the Youth Sport Trust, said:

"The inaugural UK School Games in Glasgow has been a fantastic success and the level of competition at each of the five sports has been outstanding.

"We are delighted at how the young volunteers have also excelled in their roles and helped us put on a show to remember. I know Coventry will be able to build on this to ensure that children across the UK are given the opportunity to compete in this unique event."