A PARALYMPIC flame celebration will come to Ellesmere Port.

The town is the only place in West Cheshire and one of only 34 communities in the UK chosen to host a party for the London 2012 Paralympic Torch Relay.

Today’s announcement from The London 2012 Organising Committee comes with six months to go until the start of the Paralympic Games.

The entrance rotunda at West Cheshire College’s new campus will be transformed into an arena to host the free-to-attend celebration on Saturday, August 25.

Four flames – in London, Greater Belfast, Edinburgh and Cardiff – will be lit as part of a new concept for the Paralympic Torch Relay.

The flames will be united at the Paralympic Flame Lighting Ceremony at Stoke Mandeville, the spiritual home of the Paralympic Movement, to create the London 2012 Paralympic Flame. This flame will be carried on a 24-hour relay to London and the opening ceremony.

The day after the London lighting ceremony, the torch will be brought to Ellesmere Port in a miner’s lamp, brought there by Paralympic ambassadors from the borough.

It is intended that a number of other sporting venues in Ellesmere Port will stage activities including the EPIC Leisure Centre and Stanney Oaks Leisure Centre and athletics track. There will also be dance and music performances and art exhibitions

Cllr Stuart Parker, executive member for Culture and Recreation, said: “Using the spectacular entrance rotunda to the new West Cheshire College building, the celebration event will showcase local sport and cultural endeavour and achievement demonstrating that these opportunities are truly for all.

“Such events take considerable organisation and I would again like to thank the key partners: Cheshire Dance, Sport Cheshire, Brio Leisure and of course West Cheshire College for making this possible.”

Sara Mogel, principal at West Cheshire College, said: “We are organising a series of events throughout the year to celebrate London 2012 and this is the perfect way for all our students and the community to get involved.”

The council’s Labour leader Justin Madders, said: “Ellesmere Port has been the centre for disabled sporting achievement and participation for many years, making its choice as a venue for this celebration especially appropriate.”