A committee to set up a pre-games training camp (PGTC) in West Devon for international athletes and teams on their way to the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games is launching an appeal for overseas athletes to come and train here.

Committees around the country are making arrangements to host athletes for final training after they arrive in the UK prior to the start of the Olympics on July 27.

Athletes who choose to prepare for London 2012 in West Devon in the sports of athletics, badminton, table tennis and football — the four accredited sports for West Devon PGTC — can train in outstanding facilities available in West Devon.

The PGTC committee is keen to make contact with any National Olympic Committee members from anywhere in the world who would like to bring their athletes to West Devon to prepare for the most important competition of their lives.

Tavistock College boasts some of the most modern athletics and football facilities in the West Country. Its sports hall has been especially prepared to national standards for badminton and the halls are well suited for training for other sports such as Taekwondo and boxing.

Kelly College has excellent sports facilities and is well known for training swimmers in its elite swimming pool under the guidance of national coach Robin Brew.

In Okehampton there are excellent all-weather facilities as well as sports halls at Okehampton College and a swimming pool and fine sports hall in the adjacent sports centre. Nearby is the nationally recognised indoor shooting range and there is a sports gym on the edge of the town.

Okehampton Community Recreational Centre (OCRA) is a great catalyst for all sports in Okehampton. One of the most outstanding facilities is Okehampton Table Tennis Club which is designed to national standards and regularly hosts major competitions.

University College Plymouth Marjon has agreed that any athlete who attends the training camp in West Devon will be able to access the state-of-the-art Marjon sports science and exercise laboratories and obtain advice and treatment from their professional sports therapists.

The West Devon PGTC committee is made up of representatives from the Tavistock and Okehampton Colleges, members of West Devon, Tavistock and Okehampton Councils and interested individuals of the local communities.

The committee has volunteers who will be responsible for the organisation of accommodation, transport and a programme of social activities for visiting athletes. There will be opportunities for local schools and community organisations to be involved, meet teams and to feel a part of this exciting time.

The PGTC committee meets on a regular basis to ensure there will be a friendly, welcoming and high quality environment for all visiting athletes who choose to come and prepare here.

Dr James Allenby, chairman of the West Devon PGTC committee, said: 'We are very grateful to all the organisations and members of this community who have volunteered to become involved in this initiative, in particular, Devon County Council, West Devon Borough Council, Tavistock Town Council, Rotary Okehampton and Leisure Connections, who have either given or promised support, and for all of the people who have given their wholehearted support and enthusiasm for this project.

'We have appointed an agent to work on behalf of West Devon PGTC to attract athletes and teams to this area. We have also been making independent personal contact with people overseas who might be able to help.'

Cllr Nick Morgan, West Devon Borough councillor and member of the PGTC committee, said: 'We have fantastic facilities and dedicated volunteers in West Devon‚ now all we need is the athletes.

'I urge all West Devon residents to rack their brains and try to think of anyone they know who might be able to help us become an active part of the 2012 Olympics.

'Please can you get the word out to anyone you know who might have the contact that would trigger this process. The decision makers are members of the National Olympic Committee of all countries who are intending to send athletes to the Games.'

If you have any contacts in foreign countries who might be able to help the committee get in touch with any overseas National Olympic Committee member, contact Bridget Passmore at [email protected]">[email protected] or tel 07870 402671 or e-mail [email protected]">[email protected]