EIGHT North-East sporting venues are in the running to host disabled athletes preparing for the London 2012 Paralympics.

The facilities are among those selected to appear in the event's Pre-Games Training Camp Guide, which teams from across the world will use to choose their training base.

The eight include the Gateshead International Stadium, the Sunderland Aquatic Centre, Durham University, the Percy Hedley Foundation, Hartlepool Marina, Sport Northumbria at Northumbria University, the Lakeside Centre, North Tyneside and the University of Sunderland Centre for Sport and Recreation.

The full list was announced by the London 2012 Organising Committee.

Judith Rasmussen, regional director for Sport England North-East, said: "The guide highlights a number of great facilities capable of hosting Paralympic sport which are available to communities across the North-East.

"In playing host to Paralympic athletes we will in turn raise the profile of the region giving us the opportunity to showcase North-East sport to global audiences."

Stacy Hall, from One NorthEast, said: "The news that key regional venues have been selected to feature in the Pre-Games Training Camp Guide for Paralympic sports is a fantastic opportunity for the North-East.

"We hope the facilities will be chosen to play host to athletes, as this would be a tremendous boost for the region's reputation as a key location for staging sporting events, which will ultimately impact local businesses and help the regional economy."