Hundreds of people from across the world have descended on Harpenden to volunteer their time to help the London 2012 Olympic Games run smoothly.

Groups from more than 20 nations, including America, Australia, Portugal and South Africa are currently camping at the Youth With a Mission site in Highfield Oval.

The 400 volunteers travel into the capital every day to help out in a number of different ways, including running hospitality stalls near the venues and acting as translators for staff at train stations.

Yan Nicholls, a member of the charity responsible for organising the Olympic scheme, said: "We are looking after the public.

"The volunteers want to do something to serve and to be a part of it.

"It gives us an opportunity where people ask for help and we can do it without any money being involved.

"We have had a lot of feedback from councils and police about the positive impact they are having."

People of all ages volunteer at the site and there are several families taking part, but the majority of those staying are aged between 14 and 25.

Mr Nicholls added: "For them it is a little bit of the unknown.

"They get to know people from other countries and how things work in other places. That is a real benefit to it.

"Each time we see friendships that last. They connect with people from all over the world.

"It is just tremendous to have the opportunity to be part of another culture.

"You get so much more from it than when you are holiday."

Volunteers started arriving at the centre at the beginning of July and underwent training sessions.

They are currently living in more than 100 tents on the site in what has been dubbed "tent city".

Youth With A Mission, which is organising the scheme, is an international volunteer organisation directed at training and sending young people of all ages to apply their faith in serving others locally and abroad.

Since the start of the games, Mr Nicholls has already seen a change in some of the young people staying in the town.

He said: "We are hearing stories of people deciding to change their lives to make a difference in the community. It is really encouraging.

"It has been really positive.

"People are saying we have only got a few days left, we have got to make the most of it."

The charity has been providing assistance with the Olympics since 1972.