AN 11-times gold medallist has challenged Colchester "to shout about itself very loudly" if it wants to attract Olympic teams to use the town as a training base.

Four sports venues in the town feature on the list of approved training facilities for athletes competing at the London games in 2012 drawn up by event organiser Locog.

Paralympic athlete Dame Tanni Grey Thompson, speaking to the Gazette ahead of delivering the 28th Colchester Lecture last week, issued a rallying call to the town.

"It isn't enough just to be in the book," she said.

"There are so many other towns in the UK - and abroad - who want to attract these squads.

"Colchester has to go out there and market itself to the world - and it has to do it quickly.

"Really, Colchester has to shout about itself very loudly if it wants to be noticed."

Dame Tanni said that cities in Italy and France were also looking to attract teams.

"They see London 2012 as not only the UK's Olympic Games, but Europe's as well," she said.