Going for gold

OLDHAM’S Olympic legacy project has been hailed “trailblazing” by the London Games organising committee.

The One Future group is set to improve the lives of Oldhamers lives by securing sporting, social and economic benefit across the borough. The total value of Oldham’s Olympic contracts is £3.6 million.

Oldham has already hosted a leg of the Halfords Tour Series cycling races in June last year, which was watched by 300,000 people on TV and boosted the local economy by £250,000. Handball has now been adopted as a legacy sport across schools and community groups across Oldham.

The scheme has already attracted support from high-profile local names, including Manchester United’s Paul Scholes, presenter John Stapleton and “Coronation Street” actress Shobna Gulati.

Group vice chairman John Townsend said: “The project has been going for 12 months and it’s good to reflect on our achievements to date. I’m sure that London 2012 fever will gather pace when the torch travels through Oldham on Sunday, June 24.”

A new website for North-West residents to find out about Inspired events was being launched today at: www.northwestfor2012.com