Essex busineses are being urged to cast a vote in support of the UK's bid for the 2012 Olympic Games.

The latest move this week to win the Games for London with details of sporting and infrasture facilities sent to the International Olympics Committee (IOC), is the first of the three stage procedure in the run-up to the winner being named.

The next stage is in February when an IOC team inspects the site and facilities as well as the amenities available to visitors.

With much of the activity centred on the Stratford area, business leaders are hoping to cash in on the spin-offs expected to extend into Essex.

The Essex Institute of Directors (IoD) and the Essx Chambers of Commerce arae both urging members to vote their support for the Games on www.London 2-1.com

IoD branch chairman Nicholas Cook said: "The Games could be the biggest boon to Essex in ages. Not only will the infrastructure projects of buildings and transport links smooth the way to London itself, but they should benefit many parts of the county.

Building projects and materials as well as accommodating extra tourists should all benefit Essex.

Many of these things will extend well beyond the Games.

The brownfield sites earmarked in the Stratford area for development will also remove an eyesore that has been a blight on the landscape for decades.

The view is supported by the Chambers of Commerce, whose chief executive John Clayton said: "The prospects of increased business opportunities in Essex are potentially huge and our members are very enthusiastic about the Games coming to Britain. I'm sure they will show their support with a vote."

Tourist operators point to the proximity of Felixstowe, Harwich and Stansted as major transit terminals for visitors who would be targeted to base themselves in Essex for the duration of the Games or spend time in the county after they finish.

The final phase of the bid comes in July when the final decision is announced.

Published Wednesday November 17, 2004

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