The London 2012 Organising Committee (LOCOG) has announced its list of 178 UK sporting facilities capable of hosting teams preparing for the 2012 Paralympic Games.

One hundred and forty three facilities are located in England, with 16 in Wales, 11 in Scotland and eight in Northern Ireland.

The selections are either capable of hosting a wide variety of sports, or have been chosen as a Centre of Excellence specialising in hosting a specific Paralympic sport.

The facilities have been assessed with a focus on accessibility and accommodation standards, plus the facilities’ commitment to co-operation with National Paralympic Committees.

A training camp financial award scheme has also been set up, which can offer up to £25,000 to help attract National Olympic Committees and National Paralympic Commitees to base themselves in the UK.

“The assessment process we have conducted shows there is a good spread of high quality sporting facilities for athletes across the board,” said LOCOG chair Lord Coe, “I hope that as many teams and athletes as possible take advantage of these facilities. Our vision is to use the Games to inspire change and change attitudes towards people with a disability.”

LOCOG will release its Pre-Games Training Camp Guide detailing suitable facilities for both Paralympic and Olympic athletes at the Beijing Games this summer.

A new website designed in partnership with tourism body Visit Britain will offer information about UK training venues to help National Olympic and Paralympic committees decide where to train.

“This country has one of the finest Paralympic teams in the world, and an unwavering support of sport for disabled people. I have no doubt that foreign teams will be impressed with the choices and opportunities they have to train here, and that’s good news not only for our sporting infrastructure, but for the legacy from the Games,” said Tessa Jowell, minister responsible for the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Phil Lane, CEO of ParalympicGB, added: “It is a significant bonus for the National Paralympic Committees around the world to benefit from the same process and awards as their Olympic counterparts for the first time. We have worked closely with London 2012 in evaluating these sites and are sure that the UK’s nations and regions will provide excellent facilities for Paralympic athletes preparing for the London 2012 Paralympic games.”