THE County Showground at Detling could be the site of an equestrian training ground for the 2012 Olympics.

Showground bosses have already met to discuss how the facilities can be used for Olympic purposes and how an Olympic training camp could be accommodated on the 140-acre site.

With equestrian competitions already a feature of the Kent Show, the showground is well placed to offer a desirable training venue for top class Olympic riders. The venue’s easy access to Europe, fast motorway links to London and acres of open space make it an ideal training location for competitors.

A spokesman for the showground confirmed that ideas were on the table, but were at the very early stages.

He said: "Like the rest of Kent businesses we are looking at how we can play a part in the Olympic preparations.

"'It’s doubtful we would get an event – there really are too many good equestrian sites out there – but we would certainly be looking at having one of the foreign teams."

Until the Beijing Games in 2008, bids and contracts for London in 2012 cannot take place but showground bosses are committed to seeing Maidstone fly the Olympic flag.

"We are going to develop this idea, but if it doesn’t work out we certainly feel that together with Maidstone council and Kent County Council we can definitely put Maidstone on the map," added the spokesman.

Ideas under consideration include partnerships with local hotels and the provision of specialist facilities during Kent’s build up to the Games.