OLYMPIC athletes could be training in Okehampton in the run-up to the 2012 Olympic Games.

Representatives from the West Devon Pre-Games Training Camp group made a presentation to town councillors on Monday and asked for funding to aid their campaign.

West Devon is a recognised pre-games training centre after being accepted by the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games. However, the local group now needs additional funding to attract athletes to the area. Okehampton is recognised as a suitable training location for table tennis, while Tavistock could play host to competitors in athletics, badminton and football.

The group, which has received £1,500 of funding from Tavistock Town Council, said Okehampton would see economic, as well as social, sporting and legacy benefits. The town council will discuss the allocation of funds at a later date.