STADIUM chiefs are aiming to bring part of the Olympics action to Huddersfield.

Officials at the Galpharm Stadium are working with regional development agency Yorkshire Forward following London's successful bid to host the 2012 Games.

It is hoped that the Galpharm will be chosen as a training venue for one of the visiting teams.

Yorkshire Forward has identified several sports arenas across the region as potential venues for training camps.

Venues in Wakefield, Cleckheaton and Bradford are also being proposed as potential sites for teams.

Chief executive Ralph Rimmer said: "Our aim is to have the Olympic flag flying above the stadium.

"At the Atlanta Olympics, some of the venues used were 500 miles away from the city.

"There is no reason why Huddersfield should not have a share of things in 2012."

Mr Rimmer spoke as he gave an update on the £500,000 project to extend the frontage of the town's premier sporting venue.

He said the improvements would add weight to the stadium's case for being involved in the Olympics.

Mr Rimmer said the two-storey extension was on track for completion as envisaged by mid-September.

When it is finished, it will provide an enlarged ticket office, sports shop and administration offices.

The first floor will also have 2,000sq ft of office space to let.

The stadium is now looking for potential tenants for the offices.

Mr Rimmer said: "There are big advantages for firms taking space here.

"There is the kudos of having the stadium address, ample car parking, access to the health and fitness club and golf driving range as well as conference and meeting room facilities on site."

Mr Rimmer said the stadium was operating as usual during the work, which is being carried out by Elland-based Marshall Construction.

The booking office and shop have remained open and major functions such as dinners and conferences have been staged as normal.

"The scheme aims to keep us at the forefront of things," he said.

"We have been able to keep disruption to customers to a minimum and people have been fairly understanding because they realise the improvements are for their benefit."