Essex County Council has made available 374 tickets for local children to attend the Olympics, including the Opening and Closing Ceremonies, the Mountain Biking Events at Hadleigh Farm and Canoe Slalom competition at Lee Valley White Water Centre.

Last year the Council secured 500 tickets from the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) for the Mountain Bike Events at Hadleigh Farm (250 tickets for each day) and 40 tickets for other events in the Olympic programme at a cost of £23,150. Any tickets that are not allocated to children (including those accompanying them) and local businesses by the Hadleigh venue will be paid for personally by the attendee.

Essex County Councillor Stephen Castle, Cabinet Member for Education and the 2012 Games, said: “Essex County Council was able to secure these tickets from the DCMS and I was very keen from the start that as many as possible were made available for children in the county. This is an exciting event for Essex and I am very proud of what the Council has contributed towards both the 2012 Games and the legacy that will endure for generations."

Toby, aged 19, in Essex, said: “Wow … it's an opportunity that we wouldn't normally get”.

The Council has also allocated some tickets to partners who helped deliver the course at Hadleigh Farm, and Council Officers and Members who have been integral in making sure Essex had an Olympic venue.

The County Council, in partnership with The Salvation Army, recently released their legacy proposals for Hadleigh Farm and Hadleigh Country Park after the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. At the heart of the proposals are plans to improve and enhance the network of existing paths and trails across Hadleigh Country Park and Hadleigh Farm, improving access for walkers, cyclists, mountain biking, runners and horse riders.  The trail network will include the adapted Olympic Mountain Bike course.