The online press office, which was set up earlier this month, was commissioned by Shropshire Council but is run by award winning media and content team Fido PR, who are based in Manchester.

"We were commissioned to set up the new online press office to capitalise on the opportunity for Much Wenlock of London hosting the 2012 Olympic Games next year," Gemma Peers, the account manager for the Media and content team at Fido PR, told insidethegames.

The annual Wenlock Olympian Games, which are set to take place in Much Wenlock for the 125th time this July, were founded by local doctor and philanthropist William Penny Brookes in 1850.

Later on, Brookes shared his vision for an international Olympian festival with a wealthy Frenchman, Baron Pierre de Coubertin, who was visiting Much Wenlock.

Coubertin later used his influence and connections to establish the Modern Olympic Games and is credited as its founder, but Brookes played a huge role in reviving the ancient Games and the official London 2012 Olympic mascot, Wenlock, has been named in honour of his contribution to the International Olympic Movement.

"Our aim is not only to promote the amazing story of William Penny Brookes and the Wenlock Olympian Games but also the town of Much Wenlock itself, which is a beautiful place to visit," said Peers.

"The key event for us is obviously the annual Wenlock Olympian Games here in the summer but there is certainly a huge amount interest in Much Wenlock itself with the London 2012 Olympics now fast approaching, so we expect the new online press office to be a valuable source of information for the media."

The online press office is available for any media interested in press trips to Much Wenlock or for those interested in the story of William Penny Brookes and the Wenlock Olympian Games.

To find out more click here.

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