A raft of sporting and cultural activities are set to take place across the county this weekend as communities mark one year until the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games begin.

Among events taking place over the The London 2012 Open Weekend in Norwich are Capoeira open workshops at the Forum from 11am to 1pm on Saturday, as well as a sculpture exhibition at the Norfolk and Norwich Association for the Blind.

Outside of the city, and on the same day Horning Sailing Club will be hosting a sailing family taster day, while on Sunday there will be a 5km running race around Dereham town centre starting at 9.15am.

Community groups, organisations and town and parish councils were given the chance to apply for a grant to fund events of a sporting or cultural nature, non-commercial and not-for-profit. In total, nearly �9000 was granted by the council

James Carswell, Norfolk County Council's cabinet member for cultural services, said:

'Open Weekend marks one year until London 2012 begins and I am delighted that we have been able to help so many local areas in Norfolk to mark the occasion by putting on sporting and cultural related events and activities for their communities.

'Hosting the Olympics in this country not only offers opportunities for local people to enjoy a world class sporting event, but the interest that will be generated provides us with an opportunity to get even more residents involved in related pursuits.

'Through continuing to fund some of our young sporting and cultural stars over the course of the next year, the council hopes to help them to reach Olympic standard, with some making the grade for London 2012, others Rio 2016, but ultimately ensuring Norfolk has even more high achievers that others can aspire to be like.

'The Olympics taking place in London also offers huge economic opportunities to our county. Some companies have already secured contracts to provide services to the Games, whilst our tourism industry is looking to maximise the number of visitors that we can draw to Norfolk, whether before, during or after the Olympics.'

The full range of locations where activities are taking place is available to view at www.norfolk2012.co.uk