A group of young people from Hertfordshire and Essex have been given an exclusive chance to attend London 2012′s Canoe Slalom test event at Lee Valley White Water Centre.

Lee Valley White Water Centre will host five days of action across four events at the London 2012 Games next year.

A selection of 120 young people from four schools across the regions will cheer on teams from around the world during the event, which takes place from 28 – 31 July 2011.

The pupils have been given the exclusive chance to attend the closed event test event after Lee Valley Regional Park Authority teamed up with the London 2012 Organising Committee (LOCOG) to offer the opportunity as part of Get Set, the official London 2012 education programme.

LOCOG Chair Seb Coe said: ‘The Canoe Slalom test event is vital for testing different aspects of the competition ahead of next year’s Games, including the course, timing technology, scoring and workforce.

‘Any learning from the event will be built upon to ensure we run the best event possible next summer. Even though the test event is not open to the wider public, we are pleased to be able to offer local schools a chance to see international teams tackling the course.’

Lee Valley White Water Centre is the only brand new Olympic venue to have opened to the public ahead of the Games.

To find out more about the London 2012 test events, visit London Prepares