Olympic spirit reaches rural England

A group of nine small villages is to come together for their very own Olympics in advance of the Bejing Olympics later this year.

The villages are in the remotest and least populated parts of Shropshire and the event is being organised through the churches.

"The village of Norbury, which has a population of just 112 has thrown down the Olympic gauntlet to the other parishes in the group, inviting the 'city states' of Ratlinghope, Wentnor and Linley and beyond to compete in a series of events for the coveted laurel wreaths," said Norman Morris, the vicar of all the parishes taking part.

"They will form four teams for the day with Linley and beyond including the English villages of More and Lydham and the welsh villages of Snead, Churchstoke and Hyssington, so we are bit international too."

Events will be run for people in three age groups: Under 15s; 16-50-year-olds and over 50s. There will be a variety of races ranging in complexity from the 3, 4, and 5 legged races, a tandem slow cycle race, and a fancy dress relay. The race will culminate in a tug of war over the village stream, which Olympiads hope will be a raging torrent by then.

"The Olympics will take place at 'Mt Norbury-Olympus' perhaps better known in normal times as Norbury Village Hall and field, but these are not normal times!" said Norman.

"Team Colours have been allotted and laurel for the wreaths has been sourced but if anyone knows where we can get a flaming Olympic Torch it would be helpful."

The population of the combined villages is only about a thousand, and they come together regularly for fundraising events. Feelings are running high in all nine villages and hopes raised that an Olympian for London 2012 might just emerge on July 13 2008.