THE Paralympic Flame will come to York this summer as well as the Olympic Torch, the London 2012 Organising Committee has revealed.

Flames are being lit in London, Belfast, Edinburgh and Cardiff for the Paralympic Torch Relay and will then travel to regional celebrations, including one in York, and also in Beverley, East Yorkshire.

The flames will be combined at a ceremony in Stoke Mandeville, then carried on a 24-hour overnight relay to London for the opening ceremony of the Paralympic Games.

People in York with disabilities are being invited to help carry the flame from London to York, then to a Celebrating Ability Day at Energise Leisure Centre, Acomb, on August 24.

Sonja Crisp, City of York Council’s cabinet member for leisure, said: “It’s fantastic that York will host the Paralympic Flame at this popular event which underpins the values of courage, determination, inspiration and equality.”

The Celebrating Ability Day will present activities and sport opportunities for people with any form of disability. Voluntary sports clubs and national governing bodies will offer taster sessions including goalball, wheelchair basketball, badminton, seated volleyball, wheelchair rugby and swimming.

Chris Holmes, director of Paralympic Integration at London 2012, who attended York’s 2011 Celebrating Ability Day, said: “This new concept will involve people from all around the UK in the spirit of the Paralympic movement in unique ways relevant to the area.”

The council wants nominations for people to go with a council officer to London to help collect the flame on August 24.

Nominations should be sent by May 1 to Paul Ramskill, City of York Council, Sport and Active Leisure, 18 Back Swinegate, Swinegate Court, York YO1 8ZD or emailed to paul.ramskill@york.gov.uk