A government report has shown that over 80 per cent of British children know either nothing or very little about the 2012 London Olympics.

The Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) commissioned the poll, carried out by Ipsos MORI, to find out young people's views on the Games.

A total of 866 youngsters aged between five and 19 years old were quizzed for the survey. The results also found that young people became "much more engaged emotionally" when discussing London 2012.

The report into the findings concluded that although young people expressed enthusiasm for the Games, organisers will have to communicate events in a much more targeted way to younger audiences.

However, the report was optimistic that the Beijing Olympics would help raise awareness among young people. A DCSF spokesperson said: "The survey was carried out last summer when very little was happening in schools around 2012.

“The Olympics this week will create new British heroes to inspire young people to take up sport, on top of transforming school sport with an unprecedented £2.3bn investment up until 2011. Moreover, the high profile annual School Sports Week and elite events, like the UK School Games and International Youth Olympic Games will massively raise 2012’s profile.”