TWO Notts residents are celebrating after being named as judges for a Paralympic sport.

Maggie Else and Pete Edwards have both been provisionally selected as officials for boccia for the London 2012 games.

The sport – which can be played by individuals or teams – sees people throw leather balls as close as they can to a white jack.

Once official selection has been approved, Mr Edwards and Mrs Else will live in the Paralympic Village in London during the games before officiating in the boccia tournment as timers and line judges.

Mrs Else, who works as an equality officer for Notts County Council, said she was looking forward to taking part in the games.

She said: "I've been involved in boccia for 13 years, but never thought I would get the chance to referee at the Paralympics.

"But the sport has grown a great deal since I first got started which is really pleasing to see, and every time I'm in the pub and people ask what I'm doing at the weekend, I'll tell them about the sport.

"I think the best thing about boccia is that even people with a serious disability can play too – it's a very inclusive sport."

The sport was first played at the Paralympic Games in 1984, with more than 50 countries worldwide now taking part in the sport.

Mrs Else, from Papplewick, is also the director of Boccia England, a national charity and the governing body of the sport, whose headquarters are in Nottingham.

Another Notts County Council employee, sport development officer Pete Edwards, has also been put forward to be a boccia official.

Mr Edwards, 57, from Sutton-in-Ashfield, coaches boccia at Rainworth Leisure Centre each week and volunteers many hours to the sport which he first got involved in more than 25 years ago.

He said: "It was fantastic to receive the letter to say I had been provisionally selected to officiate at the Paralympics.

"It will be a huge responsibility but at the same time it is a fantastic opportunity to further promote and raise awareness of this fantastic sport."

The boccia Paralympic competition runs from August 30 to September 9 and will take place in the Excel Arena in London.