DOUBLE Olympic champion Seb Coe visited Bicton College as part of a whistle-stop tour of the region, to see how the build-up for London 2012 was impacting on East Devon.

DOUBLE Olympic champion Seb Coe visited Bicton College as part of a whistle-stop tour of the region, to see how the build-up for London 2012 was impacting on East Devon.

Lord Coe, a Tory peer and 12-time world record holder, is chairman of the London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

He visited Bicton Arena and Bicton College, one of the South West's premier equestrian venues, and jointly approved as a training centre to host international teams and individuals in the run-up to the London 2012 Games.

The trip was especially poignant, with East Devon athletes, including archers, kite surfers, sailors and horse riders hoping to compete in the games.

Lord Coe said: "The visit to Devon demonstrates much of what we wanted the Games to be when we bid for them - the marriage of sport, culture and education.

"The projects I'll be seeing today have taken the games and used them to reach young people and inspire change in their lives. I'm thrilled that the region has seen the opportunities offered by London 2012 and is grabbing them with both hands."

Guy Lavender, South West England Director for the 2012 Games, who leads the regional partnership 'Team South West', said: "The London 2012 Games are not just about sport, they are about transforming people's lives and revitalising communities.

"Seb's visit to the South West will enable him to see first hand how committed we are to making the London 2012 Games a huge success.

"The games represent the single, most important opportunity in our lifetime to build on the strengths of the region, involve whole communities, increase participation in sports and inspire young people to be the very best they can be.