THE OLYMPIC team of India have been in town to get ready for the London 2012 games, using local sports facilities in their quest for medals.

And they have a message for all youngsters in the area: Use the facilities on your doorstep and try to beat us.

The 60-strong Indian team have just jetted home after two months at the County Hotel in Oak Hill, Woodford.

The athletes wanted to get used to Britain’s unpredictable weather and to train two times a day, six days a week, away from India’s tropical climate.

Team manager Rahul Bawah urged youngsters who live in the area to use the tracks and gyms, just like Olympians are doing.

“You have the biggest advantage, which is home advantage. The Olympics are coming to your home town and you have all the facilties here. Use them and get involved.”

He told the Guardian that India WILL upset the history books at the London Games in three years time, and win medals.

“We will certainly have medallists at 2012. We’ve been criticised in the past, but this time we want to make sure we get the medals and that’s why we’re starting early.

“We’re hopeful of doing well in the women’s 4x400m, women’s discus, men’s shot put and men’s long jump."

The Indian team have drafted in local heroine Tessa Sanderson to help with training too.

The Redbridge resident knows how to win at the Olympics.

She holds Britain’s only gold medal in the javelin event, from her triumph at Los Angeles in 1984.

Today, she runs the Newham Sports Academy, and she opened it up to India’s team.

Bawah was impressed with what he saw.

“I’ve seen a lot of talent in the area. The athletes were impressed with how fast some of the kids were, and gave a bit of help.”

But why pick the County Hotel in Woodford as base camp?

It turns out there are four chefs in the kitchen who can rustle up the taste of home, 4,000 miles away.

Bawah explained the culture shock athletes faced: “We’re used to eating with lots of herbs and spices, but here it's suddenly only pepper.

“So the chefs cook food like we get in India, but which is suitable for athletes. It needs to be rich, with lots of juice.

“It can be hard to do, but they have made it easy.”

Fraser Donaldson is sales boss at the firm which owns the County Hotel.

He is poised to host top Olympics officials there, during the Games.

He praised staff for providing a service fit for Olympians.

“There’s plenty of overtime for the chefs. They do us proud. I’d love us to attract more teams to the hotel.”