THERE will a glittering array of sporting talent on view in?West Devon later this month, when mental health charity Make a Difference hosts an 'Olympic Athletes' evening.

It will a great opportunity for the public to meet and talk to Olympic sportsmen from West Devon who have competed and enjoyed success at the highest level of their chosen sport.

Among them will be international pistol shooter Gorgs Geikie, from South Tawton, international eventing rider Lucy Wiegersma, from Highampton; Olympic and Commonwealth medallist and triathlete Robin Brew; Olympian weightlifter Michaela Breeze, paralympic swimmer Ellen Keane from Ireland; and Olympic and Commonwealth fencing medallist Kate Allenby.

The event takes place at Tavistock College's main hall on Saturday, January 21.

Dr James Allenby, the father of Kate, one of the organisers and on behalf of the Trustees of Make a Difference, Tavistock, told the Times that 'the more people who came along on the evening the merrier'.

Dr Allenby said: 'The aims of the evening are to raise awareness, and the temperature in West Devon, for the London 2012 Olympic Games; to give the young people of West Devon the opportunity to see, engage and meet some aspiring Olympic athletes as well as some past Olympians who will be telling their stories — the ups and the downs — of their personal climbs to the peak of their sporting careers.'

There will be an opportunity to ask questions, and afterwards to meet the athletes.

Dr Allenby added that the event would hopefully inspire and motivate people and so provide the legacy that LOCOG (London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games) was so keen to establish.

The evening will also be raising some money and support for the work of mental health charity — Make a Difference, Tavistock.

He said: 'We anticipate that this will be a memorable evening and will go towards setting the scene for what is to come this summer.'

Those attending are asked to come at 7pm for a 7.30pm start.