THE Royston 2012 Committee, which was set up to organise Olympic-themed events for next year, has offered the area’s school children the chance to get involved.

Pupils from schools in Royston, Reed, Barkway and Barley will enter a competition to design a logo for the committee.

At the launch of the competition on Friday (18), committee chairman Cllr Lindsay Davidson said: “We need a distinctive logo which will encompass our plans for Royston 2012: A Year of Celebrations.

“There is a need, too, to get schools and pupils involved and with them designing a logo they will be playing an important part in our efforts to ensure next year’s events will receive widespread recognition.”

The competition is sponsored by Royston-based electro mechanical services company Heasell, whose managing director Gary Abrams was pleased with their association.

“We are delighted to be involved. It is an opportunity for us to play a part in the community and we hope that other businesses will also become involved in helping to ensure the success of Royston 2012,” he said.

Pupils from Meridian, Greneway, Tannery Drift, Icknield Walk and St Mary’s schools attended the launch at Heasell’s plant in Newark Close, Royston, on Friday morning.

The winning logo will be used for all events promoted by Royston 2012, which has been given the tag ‘A Year of Celebrations.’

The overall winning entry will receive �200 for the pupils’ school to spend on sports equipment while two year group winners will receive �50 each for their schools.

Entries for the competition have to be submitted by April 11 and the winning prizes will be presented at the Royston May Fayre on May 2.