THREE athletics officials have been given an unmissable opportunity to work at next year’s Paralympic Games in London.

West Cheshire AC’s John Driscoll, Sheila Whitta and Alan Morris will act as qualified technical officials next summer.

The trio had already been selected earlier this year to officiate at the main London Olympics, but they have now been told their expertise will also be required for the Paralympic Games, which are for athletes with a physical disability.

The Paralympics begin on August 29 next year, just over a fortnight after the Olympics finish.

West Cheshire AC chairman Dennis Wall said: “Everyone at the club conveys their congratulations to John, Sheila and Alan. They richly deserve the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity of being part of an Olympic Games and a Paralympic Games in Great Britain.

“All three are highly respected athletics officials and they have all played major roles in the success of many athletics fixtures.

“They are all valued club members and officials at West Cheshire AC and the club is delighted and proud of their achievements.”

Little Sutton-based Driscoll, a vice-president at West Cheshire AC, was president of Northern Athletics in 2009-10 and played an instrumental role in securing lottery funding for the athletics facilities now based at Stanney Oaks.

He has been appointed as a recorder for both the men’s and women’s marathons in London, which are scheduled to finish in The Mall. He officiated at the 2002 Commonwealth Games held in Manchester and is a qualified road, cross country and track and field official. He also played a leading role in the formation of the popular Borders Road Running League series of races.

Whitta, who lives in Connah’s Quay, and Morris, of Chester, have both been appointed as field judges and will work inside the Olympic Stadium.

All three helped officiate at the Cheshire County Track Relay Championships at the Stanney Oaks Track in Ellesmere Port earlier this year, and Morris officiated at the Diamond League Meeting at Birmingham’s Alexander Stadium.

London last hosted the Olympics in 1948, before the Paralympics had been established. Next year will be the first time the capital has played host to the Paralympic Games.