MORE than 2,000 16 to 18-year-olds are to become volunteers at the London 2012 Olympic Games, organisers have announced.

The Young Games Makers will comprise 250 teams who will help the official adult volunteers.

London 2012's Jean Tomlin described the programme as a chance "to harness young people's enthusiasm" for the games, while Olympics Minister Hugh Robertson urged everyone to get involved and "gain a valuable addition to their CV".

London 2012 is now on the hunt for youngsters - aged 16 or over on July 1 2012 and under 18 on January 1 2012 - to fill the team volunteer posts.

Like their adult counterparts, they will be recruited based on whether they will be needed for a specialist or a general role.

Recruitment begins today (July 25), through key organisations such as the different national sports governing bodies, for youngsters who will have specialist roles such as being a water polo ball retriever.

Applications for teenagers who can fill general roles will be online - at london2012.com/young-games-maker - from September 22 to October 31.

The start of the recruitment drive to find the official 70,000 adult volunteers over the age of 18 had been criticised by teenagers who argued that youngsters also wanted to be involved.

London 2012 hope the Young Games Makers programme will be a hit among the teenagers, many of whom are already involved in sport.

The idea is that they get the chance to experience top-level sport and to see the sort of back-up needed to stage an event.

Ms Tomlin said: "The Young Games Maker programme is incredibly exciting as it has allowed us to identify a dedicated offering of roles which will allow us to harness young people's enthusiasm for London 2012 and guarantee 16 to 18-year-olds will have the chance to play their part in the greatest sporting event on earth.

"With the support of their organisation and team leader, they will receive all the help they need to ensure they can make the most of this once-in-a-lifetime chance and bring their very best to the role.”