RESIDENTS in south Essex are being urged to grab a once in a lifetime opportunity and sign up as a volunteer for the 2012 London Olympics.

Representatives of the Organising Committee of the Olympic Games were at Hadleigh Library and the town’s McDonald’s, to offer people the chance to get involved.

Hadleigh is set to hold the mountain biking event and the organisers are looking for volunteers for that, as well as other sports that will take place across London.

Andrew Newman, a member of the committee’s volunteer team, said: “The volunteers can make or break the games for us.

“They will be the first faces people who come to the games will see, whether they are spectators or athletes.

“The Olympics probably won’t come to the UK again. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to be part of something very special.”

The organisers are looking for about 70,000 volunteers for the the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Volunteers could land themselves all manner of exciting tasks, from chauffeuring officials to event locations to raking the sand in the Olympic stadium’s long jump pit.

Residents can apply as either specialists or generalists.

Specialists will perform skilled roles such as assisting athletes, helping with events and even drug testing. Applicants are expected to have previous experience of working at major sporting events.

More than 60 per cent of the volunteers will be generalists, who will take on less skilled roles, such as welcoming spectators into the stadium and ticket sales.

Both specialists and generalists also have a choice of sector they can register for, which include transport, media and commercial sales.

They can also apply to work at a specific venue, but there is no guarantee volunteers’ first choices will be met.

More than 350,000 people have already registered an interest, but Mr Newman urged people to continue to sign up.

He said: “Potential volunteers should not be put off by the number of applicants.

“People’s circumstances will have changed when the Games takes place. If you want to get involved, we need your help.”

Applicants must be over 18 by January 1, 2012, although there is no upper age limit. They have until October 27 to sign up. To register, go to www.london2012.com