The efforts of two Blackpool schools to bring on the sports stars of the future have been given an Olympic seal of approval by the man who brought the 2012 games to London.

Lord Sebastian Coe says specialist sports colleges, including Blackpool's Collegiate High School and Palatine Community Sports College, will play a major role in unearthing British gold medalists in 2012.

Lord Coe was a key speaker at the national sports colleges conference which began on Thursday in Telford. He said: "More than ever before, sports colleges which have a real specialist knowledge, a critical mass of coaching skills, sports science skills and the ability to communicate the passion of sport to young people, will be absolutely essential in identifying and nurturing talent through the six-year cycle between now and the Olympic Games and the Paralympic Games in London in 2012."

Also making a presentation at the conference were staff from Palatine, highlighting the school's community work in its first eight months as a sports college.

Graham Little, appointed by the school as a support worker, has worked with Blackpool Youth Service to work with disaffected young people within the school and in the wider community.

Headteacher, John McNaughton, said: "To be invited to address a national conference so soon into our life as a sports college is a great honour and a fitting testament to our work in this difficult area. It is impossible to underestimate the effect that Graham and his team have had working with potentially difficult members of the community and it is right that the Youth Sport Trust have recognised his drive and initiative in engaging those who lack a sense of purpose and commitment."

Gillian Fennel, headteacher at Collegiate High School, said: "Being a specialist sports college gives us the opportunity to offer all our young people the chance to develop their academic and sporting talents to the full - and maybe become an Olympic champion in 2012."

Education secretary, Ruth Kelly, was also scheduled to address the conference.