Dame Kelly Holmes has been named the first national "school sport champion" as part of a drive to get more children interested in PE.

The double Olympic champion said she wanted to help to discover and inspire the sports stars of the future in the years leading up to the London Games in 2012.

Her appointment comes as part of the Government's attempt to involve more youngsters in PE and school sport amid concerns over childhood obesity levels.

Dame Kelly said she was "proud and delighted" to have been given the job.

"I believe I can help to encourage young people to get more involved and also make this a greater priority for everyone," she said.

"I want to see real change and for more children to take part in more activities.

"We need to be a sporting nation and for that to happen we have to inspire, motivate, encourage and capture the imagination of all our young people so sport becomes a part of their day-to-day lives.

"Winning the right to stage the Olympic and the Paralympic Games in 2012 has given British sport a tremendous boost and hopefully we can use this new opportunity to dis-cover a few champions," she added.

Dame Kelly will visit schools and sports events "to promote the Govern-ment's strategy for school sport and help inspire and motivate young people", officials said.

Olympics Minister and Secretary of State for Sport Tessa Jowell said Dame Kelly's involvement would be "a real boost" for school games.

"She will no doubt show today's and tomorrow's young people why sport does matter - and how it can change your life for the better," Ms Jowell said.

Education Secretary Ruth Kelly also welcomed the appointment.