More than 300 helpers are needed to assist those attending football matches and they will be the first port of call for anyone needing information and assistance about London 2012 events occurring in the city of Coventry.

The Ricoh Arena, which is to be renamed the City of Coventry Stadium for the Olympics, is hosting 12 games during the Olympics.

Councillor Mal Mutton (pictured second left), the chair of Coventry City Council's cabinet advisory group for the Olympics, said: "We have every confidence that the Coventry ambassadors scheme will prove to be a resounding success.

"The Olympics present a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for the city to be a showcase to visitors from all over the world and we are determined that they leave Coventry with a positive, lasting memory of their visit."

The City of Coventry Stadium has a capacity of 32,609 and will therefore be the smallest of the six stadiums that hosts the London 2012 football competition.

The other five stadiums will be Hampden Park in Glasgow, the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, Old Trafford in Manchester, St James' Park in Newcastle and Wembley Stadium in London, which will host the final.

The Millennium Stadium will be the first venue to see London 2012 Olympic sport as it hosts a match before the Opening Ceremony but the City of Coventry Stadium will be the first in England to see Olympic sport.

London 2012 chairman Sebastian Coe visited the venue earlier this month for the first time since it was awarded Olympic football and hailed it as fantastic.

Meanwhile, London Coventry Ambassadors must be over 18 years of age and will be needed at key locations across the city, but not inside the stadium, in order to help spectators safely make their way to and from the venue.

Coventry University will look after the recruitment process with applications opening on Tuesday, October 4 at www.coventry.gov.uk/coventryambassadors.

David Boughey from Coventry University is confident the scheme will help the city attract more large-scale events.

"The development of high quality volunteers will be crucial in supporting future national and international events in the city," he said.

"It will show how the scheme will demonstrate a developed volunteer infrastructure which will bode well in attracting other major events to Coventry."

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