A couple will become sporting rivals at the Olympics this summer, when one takes part in the London 2012 opening ceremony, and the other the closing event.

Legal secretary Janette Hawkridge, 40, will be appearing in front of an estimated audience of a billion people when she appears at the opening ceremony in the Olympic stadium on July 27.

While her husband Paul, 56, who works at music copywriter PRS for Music will perform at the Games' closing ceremony on August 12.

Mrs Hawkridge, who has always had an interest in dance, said: "When we applied we were hoping to take part together, but the way it has worked out we won't be doing the same ceremonies.

"It has meant we have a bit of rivalry between us now about which ceremony will be better."

The couple from Sutton, applied to take part in the ceremonies after signing up to become volunteers at the Games.

But they have had to remain tight-lipped about any of the content after signing a secrecy clause.

They will begin intense rehearsal sessions in May.