HEREFORDSHIRE'S leading Olympian and Paralympian have both joined in expressing their delight at London's successful bid for the 2012 Games.

And wheelchair tennis player Janet McMorran and event rider Leslie Law both harbour ambitions of taking part when the Games come to this country in seven years' time.

Current national champion McMorran, who has already taken part in four Paralympics - in Barcelona, Atlanta, Sydney and Athens - welcomed the IOC's decision.

"I was surprised because I thought the Games would go to Paris," she said. "But it's brilliant news that they are coming to London.

"I just hope that London can cope, but it will a tremendous rejuvenation of that part of the city.

"London's was a very international bid and I am sure that was what swung the decision. Now I hope that the Games will reflect that with all the elements which go to make up London.

"But it could be great locally, too. It's very exciting for everyone."

McMorran is currently aiming for a place at Beijing in 2008 but first faces the challenge of working her way back up to her highest world ranking of sixth to restore her national funding.

Any offers of sponsorship in the meantime would be gratefully received.

Although McMorran will be 62 by the time the Games come to London, she still feels that she has a realistic chance of making what would by then be her sixth Paralympiad.

"I didn't start playing wheelchair tennis until I was nearly 40 and there is no reason why people cannot enjoy sport at any age," she said. "It's all in the heart and mind. I feel that I am playing much better now than I did when I was ranked at number six in the world back in 1996. It's a case of moving with the times."

Bromyard-based McMorran is also, however, looking to the next generation.

"It would be lovely to find another wheelchair tennis player in Herefordshire who might take part in 2012," she said. "I would be delighted to show them my chair and give them a hit out here."

Equestrian Leslie Law, who won gold in the three-day event in Athens, is also hopeful of being part of a British team in seven years' time.

"It's hard to know what will happen in seven years and you have to have the right horse," he said. "But it would be wonderful to be part of it all."

Law featured on posters backing the Olympic bid with a picture of him seemingly leaping over Buckingham Palace on his horse Shear H2O, brother of his gold winner Sheer L'eau.

He also played a part in the promotional video shown at the presentation in Singapore, taking the part of a mounted policeman in Hyde Park.

Law, who grew up in Eardisley, felt that the Games would be good for the whole country.

"It's fantastic news and will have a big impact locally. Hartpury College is being talked about as a base for some of the equestrian events and the Royal National College for the Blind could also be a base.

"It will have a far wider reaching impact on the country than just in the London area and should be an immediate boost to the local economy."