HEREFORD has been chosen as one of 34 communities across the country to host flame celebrations as part of the London 2012 Paralympic torch relay.

Someone from the county will be chosen to act as a flame ambassador and attend one of the four flaming events in the country.

They will then take part of the flame back to the celebration in Hereford, which is being held at the Point4 and the Royal National College for the Blind (RNC).

"It will be a great honour for our country to be hosting a flame celebration and to be part of the London 2012 Paralympic torch relay," said Councillor Olwyn Barnett, chairman of Herefordshire Council.

"In the county we already have an excellent reputation for promoting sports for people with disabilities and this event will build on the highly successful Blind World Cup tournament which Point4 and the RNC hosted in 2010.

"We also have many paralympic athlEtes in the county and hopefully this event will provide residents with the opportunity to show their support and inspire them to compete at their best in London later this year."

Chris Holmes, director of paralympic integration at London 2012, added that he was thrilled to announce Hereford as one of the hosts.

"This new concept will involve people from around the UK in the spirit of the paralympic movement in unique ways relevant to the area," he said.

"I know that people from Herefordshire will get involved in this celebration and help ignite passion for the paralympics across the UK."