A Sussex college has won special status for its sports training and facilities which will be used in the run-up to the 2012 Olympics.

Sussex Downs College, based in Lewes and Eastbourne, officially launches as a Centre of Vocational Excellence (CoVE) for sport and recreation today after it impressed inspectors at the Learning and Skills Council.

As the only CoVE college for sport in the South East, it will become a lead partner in Sussex in the run-up to the 2012 London Olympics and help boost sport all over the county.

College chief executive Phil Frier said: "This is like a Kite Mark for good sport and recognises what we do both on the coaching and training side as well as improving players' and athletes' levels of excellence.

"We are the only CoVE in the South East so we will be the fulcrum for any plans for sport and recreation in the next seven years in the run-up to the Olympics."

Mr Frier hoped the new status would help the college's bid to attract visiting Olympic athletes.

He said: "At Eastbourne and Lewes we have very good athletics tracks along with residential accommodation.

"We will be working with private companies and local authorities to put together our best bid to get the athletes here."

The new status releases £600,000 over three years, which will be divided between Sussex Downs College and its partnership colleges in Plumpton, Chichester and Horsham.

The money will be used for a new sports hall at Eastbourne and to extend a sports hall in Horsham, pay for new gym equipment at Chichester and outdoor facilities for rock climbing and mountaineering at Plumpton.

Mr Frier said: "It's important that we put in place good facilities, not just for the Olympics but for the local communities as well."

The college offers a variety of courses and qualifications such as sports development, sports science, golf, tennis and football. It also works with Brighton and Hove Albion Football Club to run adult education courses.

Albion players were attending the launch at the Eastbourne campus in Cross Levels Way today along with members from Sussex County Cricket Club, Brighton Bears and Sussex Sports Partnership.

An Albion club spokesman said: "Congratulations to everybody at the college. It's a huge achievement.

"It's important that Sussex's fledgling talent is given the best coaching and training and with that the chance to succeed at the highest level and this college will help to do that."

More than 250 children from Bourne County Primary School in Eastbourne were celebrating the new status by taking part in sporting activities such as athletics, football, basketball and cricket.

Principal John Blake said: "We are delighted to have been awarded the CoVE status in sport and recreation. Working with our partner colleges in Chichester, Plumpton and Horsham we cover the whole of Sussex in terms of sports development.

"The Olympics in seven years time gives us a real focus to work with young people, managers and coaches in achieving excellence."