Trafford athletes helped mark the start of the build up to the London Olympic Games in 2012 at the weekend.

Steve Pullen MBE, Great Britain Olympian and judo coach, and co-founder of the Urmston Judo Club, raised an official Olympic flag at Trafford Town Hall on Sunday following the closing ceremony in Beijing.

Demonstrations by Urmston Judo Club members and cheerleaders from Manchester Phoenix Ice Hockey Club also took place at the event.

It is hoped that Manchester United’s Old Trafford football stadium will be one of the venues at the games in four years’ time.

Mayor of Trafford Cllr Stephen Adshead said: "Trafford really is a sporting borough, being home to internationally famous clubs like Manchester United FC, Lancashire County Cricket Club and Sale Sharks RUFC, as well as local clubs like Altrincham FC and Manchester Phoenix Ice Hockey Club, which we are very proud of.

"There is a wealth of upcoming sporting talent in the borough and we hope to see our local stars develop over the next four years so they can achieve excellence at the next Olympics, taking place on British turf."