FRIENDS Provident International organised a sports day filled with wacky events - including space hopper racing - to encourage staff to volunteer to help at the Commonwealth Youth Games 2011.

The company is a sponsor of the event which takes place in the Isle of Man next September.

A mini athletics track was created in the grounds of FPI's Royal Court offices in Castletown and more than 90 of the company's 240 staff took part in the event based on a traditional school sports day.

Teams competed in different colours with each one being led by a member of the company's senior management team.

Jonathan Hall, general manager and director at Friends Provident International who took part in the event, said: "The sports day was an excellent way of celebrating our support for the Commonwealth Youth Games 2011 - and it was a lot of fun too.

"It was great to see so many staff taking part. We are very proud to be a major sponsor of the Commonwealth Youth Games 2011, it will be a fantastic event and we are encouraging as many people as possible to volunteer to help out at the Games."

The sports day began with a skipping race and the competitive spirits of staff were brought to the fore with space hopper and sack races.

The egg and spoon race and bean bag balancing races tested the dexterity of all the competitors and there was also a fancy dress sprint.

The winning captain Bob Pain and his team received medals and chocolates from Tosha, the mascot for the Commonwealth Youth Games 2011.