With the countdown standing at 680-days-to-go the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games (LOCOG) has issued a call for volunteers to help ensure the event runs smoothly.

Some 70,000 volunteers are being sought to take up the “once-in-a-lifetime opportunity” to act as everything from welcome desk staff, ticket checkers, and costume assistants, to drivers and event stewards.

Pictured: Colin Jackson, Jonathan Edwards and Denise Lewis mark the opening of the Games Maker applications to the public.

Millions of guests from around the world are expected in London for the event, which will take place in July and August 2012.

LOCOG chairman, Sebastian Coe, said: “Volunteering with us will be challenging but the rewards are life-long as our London 2012 Games Makers will literally make history happen.

“We want the best team players in the UK to apply, people who show the same qualities as our athletes including dedication, focus and grace under pressure.”

LOCOG chairman, Sebastian Coe (centre), offers volunteers a chance to “make history”

Recruitment for press operations and anti-doping volunteers began earlier this year.

In addition to the LOCOG programme, the mayor of London, Boris Johnson, is aiming to recruit up to 8,000 London Ambassadors to help and advise the visitors expected to travel to London in for the games.

Located at key points across the city - including transport hubs, outside Games venues, and at popular visitor spots - they will provide much needed information on what to see and do, where to stay and how to get around the capital.

The mayor added: “In addition to the sporting extravaganzas that will be laid on in the summer of 2012, we are also planning to stage a feast of entertainment and events to celebrate this momentous occasion.

“We need to be at our very best and give each and every guest the warmest of welcomes and help them navigate around this huge metropolis.”

Applications are open until midnight on October 27th, with more information here.