by Katie Lamborn

klamborn@thekmgroup.co.uk

Top Aussie athletes will be training in Kent ahead of the 2012 Olympics.

Athletics Australia have announced that its final camp preparations will take place at Tonbridge School.

The squad will also be eating and sleeping at the 400-bed boarding school.

"It's incredibly exciting," said pupil Matt Blanford, 14, who himself has won events at the English School Championships.

"I think it's a brilliant boost to the sport because athletics usually just gets sidelined behind football and rugby."

An official signing of the Memorandum of Understanding between Athletics Australia, Tonbridge School and Kent County Council has taken place to establish the training camp at the school.

"I hope it will inspire the young generally," said Mr Haynes.

"We work closely with lots of other local schools both independent and maintained.

"A central theme of the 2012 Olympics is to provide a legacy of inspiration for the younger generations and I hope we can play our part in doing that."

Other nations which have already signed up to train in the county are Belarus, Ukraine and Slovenia.