The Lancashire Evening Post reported in an article published today that Preston Council and the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) have approached LOCOG to be considered as a training base for athletes ahead of the 2012 Olympics.

The plan is centred upon the £12 million Preston Sports Arena at Cottam with other facilities, including the police shooting range at Hutton, being considered as training facilities.

Council and University officials are also looking at building a 50m Olympic-sized swimming pool and two eight-court Olympic-specification badminton halls in the city.

Preston College is understood been earmarked as a possible site for the new pool, while UCLan is looking at the badminton halls.

Preston Council Leader Ken Hudson has said a successful bid would be a huge boost for the city in the build-up to the Preston Guild and the huge Tithebarn Regeneration Project.

He told the Lancashire Evening Post: "Both these projects are in the early stages but, if progressed, would enhance Preston's chances of attracting Olympic athletes to use the city as their training ground.

"The projects would also fit with Preston's third city programme and would help provide a lasting legacy for the 2012 Guild.

"As well as the prestige it will bring to the city, it will also bring economic benefits."

Preston Sports Arena boasts Premiership-standard football pitches which were used by the women's Euro 2004 French and Italian teams.

The Czech Republic men's football team also trained in the city before Euro '96.

The full article can be read at http://www.lep.co.uk/news/Prestons-bid-to-be-part.3806192.jp.