BUSINESS chiefs in York have welcomed the bid to bring the Olympics to London in 2012 as a "fantastic opportunity" for the region.

Andrew Lindsay, the president of York and North Yorkshire Chamber of commerce, and the chamber's chief executive, Len Cruddas, both welcomed the bid and the potential knock-on effects of bringing hundreds of millions of pounds to businesses in our region.

The pair were speaking after sport and tourism minister Richard Caborn indicated a successful Olympics bid could bring £600 million into the region.

Mr Caborn said the Olympic Games would create a boom across the entire UK.

Mr Lindsay said the potential benefits for York and North Yorkshire were "huge" with the possibility for businesses to tender for contracts as well as sponsorship opportunities.

He said: "We welcome any national investment that brings more work, jobs and investments for the region.

"This is a fantastic opportunity for businesses in the region to tender for construction projects and facilities management for all sorts of others supports services.

"York and North Yorkshire has proved itself to be one of the most attractive places for inward investment over the last few years and we have an abundance of skills that - if London wins the bid - will be put to the best use."

Mr Cruddas said: "It's worth us being enthusiastic and showing our support for the bid and getting at the front of the queue. One of the ways in which we could really benefit is if we managed to get one of the national teams to base themselves locally."

He said if London secures the bid tourists from all over the world will be within easy reach of the East Coast Main Line rail link to ferry them to the region.

Mr Cruddas said: "This will be a great opportunity to show the rest of the country and the rest of the world what we have to offer to visitors who are not just coming to the country for a few days, but for an extended stay to watch the Olympics and enjoy Britain."

Updated: 12:01 Wednesday, February 16, 2005