Ben Pipes captains the British team (pic Sundial Photographic)

The World Volleyball Association has voted to allow a unified Great Britain team at the 2012 Olympics in London.

The vote was carried out at the World Congress in Japan following a motion from the volleyball associations of England, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

World Volleyball Federation vice-president Wei Jizhong said the result was unanimous.

The agreement only covers the 2012 Games, which will see volleyball played at Earls Court.