FORGET Bondi Beach and the Horse Guards Parade, beach volleyball has found a new home in Ellesmere Port.

As part of its London 2012 celebrations, West Cheshire College has built an indoor beach volleyball court.

Taking more than 75 hours to build and comprising 120 tonnes of sand, 100 floor boards, 100 insulating floorboards and 500 metres of lining – not forgetting 50 deckchairs for spectators – teams of two will compete in the inaugural West Cheshire College beach volleyball tournament.

Principal Sara Mogel said: “Throughout 2012 all our staff and students have embraced the spirit of the Olympics and Paralympic Games.

“The court looks fantastic and is a great way for our students to celebrate the end of term as well as welcome our new students who start in September – plus we’d encourage people to just pop in and watch the action.”

The beach volleyball tournament, sponsored by Cheshire Oaks, BAM Construct and Manchester Metropolitan University, is open to students and members of the public and runs until July 6.

Beach volleyball made its Olympic debut at Atlanta 1996. Since then it has become one of the most popular spectator sports at the Games. Athletes at London 2012 will compete on the world famous Horse Guards Parade.

The beach volleyball tournament is part of the college’s 12-month Olympic and Paralympic celebrations, which have included taster sessions in fencing, archery, table tennis and handball and visits from Britain’s greatest Olympian Sir Steve Redgrave and Olympic high-jumper Ben Challenger.

West Cheshire College will also the host an official Paralympic Flame Celebration when the flame arrives in Ellesmere Port on August 25 as part of the Paralympic Torch Relay.

To book a place in the beach volleyball tournament, call West Cheshire College on 01244 656328.