ATHLETES and leisure leaders came together to celebrate the news that York is to host both the Paralympic Flame and the Olympic Torch Relay this summer.

As The Press reported on Wednesday, City of York Council is calling for nominations for people with disabilities to help bring the flame to York from London and on to the city’s third annual Celebrating Ability Day on August 24, at the Energise Leisure Centre in Acomb.

Energise was the venue for a celebration of the news that the Paralympic Torch was due to come to York.

Chloe Buck, who is taking part in swimming trials next week for the 2012 Paralympics, and Sianagh Gallagher, a York High School pupil who won the first para climbing competition run by the British Mountaineering Council in April 2010, met city council leader James Alexander and Paul Ramskill, of its sport and active leisure department, to mark the announcement.

Nominations for people to help with the Paralympic Flame should be sent by May 1 to Mr 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