BEHIND the scenes, sporting heroes are being sought in Cornwall to form part of the Olympic legacy.

The Sport Makers volunteer programme has been set up to encourage people to take up new challenges to support community sport.

The project will provide people with the skills, knowledge and opportunities to put on community sporting events engaging as many people as possible.

Jackie Lawrence, from Sport Makers in Cornwall, said: "Every Cornish Sport Maker will be invited to an informal and interactive workshop where they'll gain the skills and opportunities to get involved in sport across the county.

"They will then be introduced to organisations that need their help, and join forces with others who want to make sport happen locally.

"There will also be opportunities to meet top athletes and plenty of incentives to stay involved."

The aim is to inspire more than 400 people in Cornwall to get involved in volunteering, each receiving training and spending at least ten hours organising or leading sporting activities.

The programme is open to anyone aged 16 and over and is part of the Places People Play legacy programme to bring the magic of a home Olympic and Paralympic Games to communities across the country.

The programme was launched nationally by Sir Steve Redgrave last year who said: "You don't need medals to become a sporting hero. By helping people you know to get involved in sport you'll be doing something amazing for your friends and local community as well as having fun yourself."

The Cornwall Sports Partnership is helping people to take part and has organised the first training workshop for new Sport Makers on February 6 at Lanhydrock Golf Club from 6pm to 8.30pm.

For more information visit www.sportmakers.co.uk or call Jackie Lawrence on 01872 323336 or e-mail jlawrence@cornwall.gov.uk