Look East

The 12 sites are among more than 170 facilities from across the UK going in the London 2012  Paralympic Pre-Games Training Camp Guide.

Seven of the sites are in the eastern half of the region and five in the west.

Essex is the big winner with six. They are Chelmsford Sport and Athletics Centre, Basildon Sporting Village, Harlow Gateway Sportcentre, University of Essex Sports Centre, Riverside Ice and Leisure Centre, Chelmsford and Southend Leisure and Tennis Centre.

Essex Paralympian Anne Wafula-Strike, who competed in Athens, said she was pleased so many of the county's venues have been picked at possible training camps.

"I think this is going to be amazing. When it comes to 2012 the athletes will just love it," she said when the chosen sites were revealed.

'Excellent facilities'

In Northamptonshire three sites have made the training camp list - Corby Swimming Pool, Kettering Sports Village and Moulton College.

Bedford International Athletics Stadium, University of Bedfordshire, Bedford Campus and Lynnsport and Leisure Park, King's Lynn in Norfolk make the 12 judged as suitable for hosting Paralympic teams.

Phil Lane, chief executive officer of ParalympicsGB, said:  “We have worked closely with London 2012 in evaluating these sites and are sure that the UK’s Nations and Regions will provide excellent facilities for Paralympic athletes preparing for the London 2012 Paralympic Games.”

Now the venues have to swing into action to persuade overseas teams to use East Anglia's centres.