Wenlock Olympian Games begin today

The 126th Wenlock Olympian Games begin today just 19 days before the official Olympic games open in London.

Twenty one events will be held over 12 days at nine sites.

Hundreds of competitors are expected to take part in a variety of sports, including tennis, football and fencing.

Much Wenlock is recognised as the home of the modern Olympic games.

William Penny Brookes who was born in Much Wenlock in 1809 became the town's doctor and championed the benefits of physical activity for "people of every grade".

The Wenlock Olympian Games were then launched in 1850. Soon, competitors across England and abroad travelled to Shropshire to take part.

French educationalist and historian Baron Pierre de Coubertin visited the Wenlock Games in 1890.

He discussed the possibility of holding an international Olympic Games, which led to the first Games taking place in Athens in 1896.

Though William Brookes did not live to see them, Coubertin acknowledged his contribution, writing that the Games would not have happened without him.