Tottenham winger Gareth Bale will not be available to play for Team GB's football side at the Olympics after aggravating a back injury in training.
Bale, 22, was set to be named in manager Stuart Pearce's 18-man squad that is being announced on Monday.
The Welshman was due to be one of the star names in the squad, but following medical advice was forced to withdraw.
It is the latest blow to the profile of the team after David Beckham revealed he had missed out on selection.
Beckham was expected to be one of the three over-23 players named in the squad, but former Manchester United team-mate Ryan Giggs is thought to have been named, as well as Liverpool's Craig Bellamy and Manchester City defender Micah Richards.
Former England captain Beckham had made Pearce's shortlist of 35 players but was overlooked for the final squad and admitted to being "very disappointed" at missing out.
Bale signed a new four-year contract with Tottenham on Wednesday but now faces a race against time to be fit for their season opener against Newcastle United on 12 August.
He had been a firm supporter of Team GB's participation in the tournament despite opposition from the Football Association of Wales (FAW).
In May 2011, he declared his interest in playing for Pearce's side and in October of the same year was pictured wearing the Team GB London 2012 football supporters' shirt.
"I want to play in the Olympics," said Bale, in May 2011.
"I think it would be a great experience.
"You see it with the British and Irish Lions in the rugby, they come together as a unit and play against other countries. It's great and there's no reason why that can't happen with the football.
"At the moment Wales haven't qualified for a major tournament in I don't know how many years so it would be nice to play in one against the best countries in the world."
The FAW, along with the Scottish and Northern Irish associations, fear Team GB could threaten their independence. However, they have said they will not stop their players from taking part in the tournament.
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
Supermarket deal for Camille Ortega Mclean and her chutney - Rutland and Stamford Mercury
A WOMAN who started a business making chutney in her kitchen has secured a deal with a major supermarket chain.
Camille Ortega McLean, who runs the Pickled Village in Main Street, Bulwick, has signed a deal to provide her products to 24 of Asda’s Midlands stores.
The Best in Show range, which is a collaboration between the supermarket and the Pickled Village, is made up of 12 top-selling products from the shop’s main range, tweaked to create a more accessible mass-market product.
Mrs McLean said: “We have been working closely with Asda to develop the Best in Show range and we’ve had a lot of fun in the process. We are delighted to be able to reach a new audience through this new association.
“What’s just as exciting is the growth of the business and the opportunity to create more local jobs for local people.
“Plus our village shop, where the business really began and which we adore, is now more sustainable. We’re very much looking forward to the next 12 months if they are as productive as the last 12 have been.”
The business’s production department, which is currently located in a barn behind the shop in Bulwick, will move to a larger premises in October to cope with the increased demand for products.
More than 5,000 extra products are being sent to Asda alone as a result of the new partnership.
One full-time worker and three part-time staff have been taken on since the deal was signed and more staff will be taken on as the range is rolled out to more Asda stores nationwide. Mrs Ortega McLean also hopes to take on an apprentice.
Local sourcing and technical manager for Asda, Alison Sawyer, said: “Asda customers are increasingly seeking locally-sourced products and we’re looking to develop solid relationships with local producers that will be beneficial both to them and our customers, whilst also adding real value to our business.”
The Pickled Village shop itself, which was recently refurbished, will continue to be the showcase for products.
The products now in Asda stores include the Virgin Mary Chutney, the Windfall Chutney and the Gentleman’s Marmalade.
Source: www.stamfordmercury.co.uk
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