Sam EmanuelPeople living near Norwich are going all out in a bid to get their village included in the Olympic Torch route to London before the 2012 Olympic Games.Sam Emanuel

People living near Norwich are going all out in a bid to get their village included in the Olympic Torch route to London before the 2012 Olympic Games.

Schools, churches, and villagers in Hethersett have all got involved in the bid, and representatives from the parish council have met the London Organising Committee of the games to urge them to include the village in the Olympic and Paralympic Torch relays.

Shane Hull, a Hethersett parish councillor, and extended schools co-ordinator Fiona Whiting presented a Book of Hethersett and letters of support from local head teachers to Martin Green, head of ceremonies 2012, and Deborah Hale, producer of the torch relays, earlier this year.

Everyone in the village is now embracing the effort and hundreds of people are expected to take part in three days of cultural, fun and sporting activities in July, when schools will also have an Olympic-themed event.

Mr Hull said: 'This is a very exciting project. We are looking to reach new audiences and offer local residents the chance to celebrate. We also want to inspire young people and leave a lasting legacy for the village.

'Hopefully our Olympic celebrations and desire for the Olympic Torch to visit the village will give Hethersett local, national and international recognition.'

Other events organised include a Hethersett's Got Talent competition, a Sport in the Park event and a run round the square of the old village. Church services and a ladies and girls five-a-side football tournament will also be held, as will treasure hunts and barbecues.

Colourful posters about the torch have also been produced by schoolchildren in Hethersett and displayed in Hethersett Library, and they are also being asked to take part in a competition to design a special village Olympic logo.

Pages on the Facebook and Twitter social networking sites have now been set up, and messages of support have already been received from Canadian towns and villages who were involved in celebrations and the route of the torch relay at the start of this year's winter Olympics in Vancouver.

To volunteer to join a working group to discuss how Hethersett can get ready for the Olympic Celebrations in 2012, suggest an Olympic-themed event or flag up good news stories involving Hethersett and its residents, contact Shane Hull on 07879 628943 or sh@howards.co.uk.