A CAMPAIGNING former Olympic canoeing coach from Worcestershire has written to London's Olympic committee chairman Lord Coe praising the controversial logo.

David Train, of Fladbury, near Evesham, set up the Paddle For Life - a programme in which children build canoes, fostering teamwork and leadership and become aware of environmental issues.

In his letter to Lord Coe, Mr Train thanked the Olympic medallist for signing a special Paddle for Life, Liberty and Freedom, and said he had in-cluded the new logo on it.

Mr Train said: "Each year since the Barcelona Olympics in 1992, the children of Fladbury and others in Wor-cestershire, make a Paddle for Life, paint their design on it, their parents sign the back, and the children then plant trees to replace the wood they have used.

They then take part in a regatta to draw attention to the need to look after the planet.'' The paddle has also been signed by Tony Blair, the Speaker of the House of Commons and other national leaders. It will be taken to the United States, where Mr Train hopes it will be signed by President George Bush and astronaut Neil Arm-strong among others.

Mr Train said 2012 is not only the year scheduled for the London Olympics, but also the year in which scientists believe if we do not act, the Earth's systems will be at breaking point. He added: "The new London logo, in white, looks like the break-up of the Arctic ice cap, and the Olympic rings are spelling out the message of bringing young people of the world together in harmony.

"The world's first Paddle for Life, Liberty and Freedom has the logo on it and I hope that by 2012 millions of children throughout the world will also have painted it on their paddles."

Mr Train told Lord Coe he was at first unsure of the new logo, but having painted it on the paddle, believes it to be a more powerful message than the Olympic rings.

He said: "It could help to save the planet by inspiring our children and young people to take part. That would be the greatest legacy of the London Olympics."