Washington and Sunderland West MP is urging her constituents to apply to be volunteers for the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

The recently-launched Games Maker programme aims to match volunteers to 70,000 roles across the country, from stewarding at Wimbledon to providing medical support for the football fixtures at St James' Park.

The programme also puts volunteers in touch with opportunities to help out in their own communities in the run up to 2012.

Sharon Hodgson said: "The Games are already creating jobs across Tyne and Wear, now they are providing a once in a lifetime opportunity for people of all ages and of all skill levels to get involved with the greatest sporting event in the world.

"Volunteers will be crucial in ensuring that the Games are a success, and will gain an experience they will be able to tell their grandchildren about in years to come."

For information on the Games Maker scheme and to apply, visit www.sharonhodgson.org and click the link.  Applications are open until 27 October.

ENDS