The Stour Centre could be used as a training venue for the London 2012 Olympics.

Elite paralympians could come to Ashford as the Stour Centre is one of eight venues selected from across Kent to feature in a training camp guide which will be handed out at the Beijing Olympics this year.

The centre, which reopened last year after a multi-million pound refit, beat off strong competition to be included in the guide for national paralympic committees.

The world’s best paralympic athletes could use the facilities during final training sessions for sports such as five-a-side football, goalball, paralympic table tennis, sitting volleyball, boccia and wheelchair basketball, fencing and rugby.

Cllr Gerry Clarkson, portfolio holder for cultural services, said: “This is a wonderful opportunity for Ashford to showcase its new facilities at the Stour Centre to a global audience and for the town to get involved with the biggest sporting event to be hosted in this country.”

Emma Wood, chief executive of Ashford Leisure Trust, which operates the council-owned Stour Centre, said: “We are looking forward to welcoming world-class athletes to Ashford.”

The eight venues selected across Kent and Medway are:Stour Leisure Centre, Ashford; Dartford Judo Centre; Sevenoaks School; Kent University, Canterbury; Polo Farm Sports Club, Canterbury; Canterbury High School; Valley Leisure Centre, Folkestone; Medway Park.