World-class athletes have been encouraged to choose Oxfordshire as their training base for the London Olympics in 2012.

Three of the county's sports venues have been included in a list of elite sporting venues to be offered to nations competing at this year's games in Beijing.

Alden Sporthorse on the Ridgeway, near Didcot, will offer world class equestrian facilities; Oxford University has put forward its Iffley Road hockey and athletics centre, immortalised by Roger Bannister's sub-four minute mile in 1954; and Radley College, near Abingdon, could provide a base for archery, athletics, basketball and fencing.

The facilities are among 600 venues across the country that will be made available to athletes competing in the London Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Up to £25,000 is being offered by officials for each team that bases itself in the UK.

And the athletes who choose Oxfordshire facilities would be expected to use the county as their base camp in the weeks or months preceding the Games.

Oxford is hoping to attract leading countries.

John Goddard, the leader of Oxford City Council, said he welcomed an opportunity to bring sporting fame back to the city.

He said: "I think it is good news. It recognises the international fame of Roger Bannister's four-minute mile and will bring some modern Olympians to the city.

"We are used to welcoming large numbers of visitors and we would look forward to this influx.

"And we hope this new emphasis on sport will encourage more of our young people to take part themselves."

Two years ago Alex Hollingsworth, the then leader of the city council, said he wanted a number of African nations to make Oxford their 2012 training base - including Ethiopia, the country of long-distance road runner Haile Gebrselassie.

Speaking in March, 2006, he said: "Personally speaking, I would like to see countries like Kenya, Ethiopia and Tanzania come here.

"I would like people to see world-class athletes. The real reason we are doing this is to encourage young people to take part in competitive sport."

Sebastian Coe, chairman of the London organising committee, said: "We said we wanted the London Games to be for athletes, and the facilities listed in this guide will really help overseas athletes prepare well.

Lord Coe added: "It also provides a great opportunity for towns throughout the UK to get involved."