THE passion and spirit of the Olympic Games could be brought to the York streets in 2012.

The city's role in the sporting spectacular, and the potential economic and social benefits it could bring, were made much clearer following the unveiling of the council's outline plan.

Leisure chief Charlie Croft has revealed to The Press details of the report, which focuses on what part York will play before, during and after the Games.

City of York Council, working with Active York and other groups, has set three main targets. They are: to promote the city as a cultural destination for spectators and athletes; holding a city-wide Festival Of The Flame prior to the Games, incorporating Olympic-themed attractions, competitions and school events; securing a sporting legacy by encouraging residents to volunteer at the Olympics in London and then use those skills to benefit sport in York.

Mr Croft said it was likely the city would share hosting one of the larger Olympic countries with other regional centres and utilise York St John University College's sports science labs.

Other exciting ideas include:

Ensuring the Olympic flame passes through York in the days leading up to the main event

Teaching school pupils more obscure Olympic events at key heritage sites. Mr Croft said this could include coaching beach volleyball in Parliament Street and archery in York Minster

Holding a Festival Of Peace incorporating elements of the Olympic truce

Staging county-wide Olympic youth games.

Mr Croft said: "There is a lot of enthusiasm for this.

"We want to present York as a cultural heritage centre. It's important that more people participate in sporting activities. Encouraging volunteers to get down to the event in 2012 is one way of achieving that."

York's outline plans have been passed onto the regional Olympic steering group incorporating Yorkshire Culture, Yorkshire Forward, Sport England, and the Yorkshire Tourist Board. A regional Executive Chair for London 2012 will shortly be appointed to manage and coordinate this group on behalf of the region.

The membership of the regional group is made up of York, Leeds, Sheffield, Hull and Bradford.

Updated: 09:20 Wednesday, April 26, 2006