Cornwall is to hire its own Olympic torch project manager to guide the flame along its one-day journey through the county – at a cost of almost £20,000.

The Olympic flame is to start its journey around Britain in Cornwall on May 19 next year before heading to Plymouth and Exeter.

But criticism has been levelled at Cornwall Development Company, a wing of Cornwall Council, after adverts appeared for a project officer to manage the 24-hour event.

Robert Oxley, campaign manager for the TaxPayers' Alliance said: "Local taxpayers will be staggered that Cornwall Council plans to spend so much of their money needlessly planning for one part of one day of the Olympics.

"Existing members of staff at the council should have been able to deliver an excellent day for the torch's visit, it's not much extra work.

"Times are tough for many families and they expect their council to try to make savings, not needlessly recruit extra employees."

The job – titled Project Officer Olympic Torch Relay – will run until May 31, and carries a starting salary of £19,689. The closing date for applications is Thursday.

The project officer "will help the festivals and events coordinator in the successful delivery of the Olympic torch relay through Cornwall," the advert states.

"The project officer will help to raise awareness of the event throughout Cornwall, encouraging substantial community engagement, while also stimulating excitement for the London 2012 Olympic Games and reinforcing the profile of Cornwall both nationally and internationally."

Malcolm Bell, head of Visit Cornwall, said it was not simply a 24-hour event and that they were looking to take advantage of the event to promote the county.

"I understand what peoples' first reaction might be," he said. "But it is not going to be for one day, it is going to be for a whole week."

He added: "If it was going to be one man running up the A30 with the torch, it would be a complete waste of time. But want we want to do is shine a spotlight on what Cornwall can offer to the world."

Mr Bell said the world's media would naturally focus on Cornwall because it was hosting the start of the event and that they needed to "make the most of the international interest".

Other cities further along the route, he said, were spending upwards of £100,000 on special events to get coverage.

The event also needed creative thinking which would then turn to complex logistical management with a large number of towns and villages on the route being involved.

"It is a catalyst for a wide range of public relation and promotional opportunities," he added.

"When it comes nearer the time, it will be bigger than people imagine at the moment. I think there will be a lot more excitement about the Olympics."

The flame will arrive from Greece on May 18. Its passage to the opening ceremony will begin at Land's End the next morning, arriving in Exeter on Sunday May 20. The route through the region is yet to be announced.