AN Olympic effort is being made in Rossendale to promote sporting endeavour in the run-up to this summer’s London games.

Several schemes have been drawn up by the Valley’s leisure trust to tempt more residents off the couch and into the borough’s gyms and pools.

Judo hopefuls David Groom and Sophie Cox, and handball ace Ciaran Williams, each have their eyes fixed on the capital.

But Rossendale Leisure Trust (RLT) is adamant that all-comers can also shine before, during and after the games.

Plans have been drawn up for Olympic holiday camps and a bid for funding has been lodged with the county council’s local intiative fund.

A RLT spokesman said: “The bid will be to promote a two week programme of activities broken down into one day sport camps.

“Sports such as boxing, basketball, martial arts, swimming and more. The programme will also consist of an opportunity to complete a sports leader’s qualification and learn about the basics of a healthy lifestyle in interactive nutrition workshops.”

Before then the annual swimathon, at Rawtenstall’s Marl Pits leisure centre, on April 28, will be an opportunity to kick off the summer of sport programme.

The momentum will be maintained when the seventh annual Rossendale Triathlon follows this on Sunday, June 3.

Just under three weeks later the Olympic torch will travel through the valley, en-route to London, and sports clubs valley-wide are being encourage to pledge their support.

Trust bosses are considering staging open weekends to bolster membership numbers.

And RLT is hoping to stage its largest-ever sports awards in July, to benefit from the Olympics feelgood factor.

The opening of improvements at the Marl Pits centre, by Rossendale MP Jake Berry, later in the year, should round off the year.