SCHOOLCHILDREN from Comet country will form a guard of honour for the London 2012 Olympic Games opening ceremony.

The Knights Templar School in Baldock is one of 250 schools from across the country which will have pupils line the route during the athletes’ procession from the Olympic Village to the Olympic Stadium, holding lanterns and banners they have created themselves.

Representing Romania, the Baldock school was selected to take part in the guard of honour in recognition of its commitment to the Olympic and Paralympic values through the Get Set network – the official London 2012 education programme.

Andrew Pickering, headteacher at Knights Templar, said: “Obviously there’s a great deal of excitement for the Olympic Games happening in our capital city.

“This is a way young people can participate, and it’s a great honour for us as a school.

“The children are very excited and we had great difficulty choosing the students who will take part.

“We are a specialist sports school so we are particularly excited to be involved in this.”

Seven other schools in Hertfordshire have been selected to take part.

The chair of the Hertfordshire is Ready for Winners board, Derrick Ashley, said: “Hertfordshire has the accolade of 100 per cent sign up for London 2012 education programme Get Set and so it is fantastic that our schools get rewarded for their commitment and enthusiasm for the Games by being involved in such a key part of the athletes’ welcome to London.”

As well as having the opportunity to cheer on the world’s best athletes, the schoolchildren will also tour the Olympic Park.

For more information about the Get Set education programme and what is going on in Hertfordshire to celebrate the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, visit the Hertfordshire is Ready for Winners website www.hertsisreadyforwinners.co.uk