SOUTHEND is gearing up for the 2012 Olympics by shooting a film to showcase what the town can offer international athletes during the games.

A basketball match at Southend Leisure and Tennis Centre, in Garon Park, was filmed to use on a DVD to promote the venue for use during the games.

The centre has already been nominated by the London Organising Comm-ittee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games as a potential pre-games training facility.

Derek Jarvis, Southend councillor responsible for culture, said: “This DVD will be part of a promotional package to encourage sports people to undertake their preparations here.”