DORSET businesses are being encouraged to actively support London's candidature for the 2012 Olympics with the hope of sharing part of the £200 million the games are likely to generate.

Bournemouth-based chartered accountants Saffery Champness has sponsored an information brochure that is urging businesses in Dorset to "Back the Bid".

It says that there would be huge number of economic advantages for Dorset in the event of Britain hosting the Olympic and Paralympic Games - Weymouth would be the venue for the sailing competitions.

At the Sydney Olympics in 2000, host state Queensland reported contracts worth £200m being created by the games in the region with a quarter of this going to small and medium-sized businesses.

"A successfully-run competition will bring considerable advantages to trade and industry in the region - and in my opinion, it would bring a positive economic legacy that could potentially last for many years," said Saffery Champness partner Nick Fernyhough at the launch of the information brochure.

"Economically and logistically, Dorset is well positioned to accommodate the Olympians that would be training here during the run-up to the main competitions.

"No-one should underestimate what a keen focus an Olympic competition would bring on sailing competitions in the waters around Weymouth and Portland," continued Mr Fernyhough.

"And with the eyes of the world on the South Coast there would be a wonderful opportunity to showcase our beautiful landscape and waterfront. What a boost that would bring to all of the different types of businesses along the South Coast."

The brochure, entitled "Will you help carry the torch for Dorset?", has been produced in conjunction with the South West Regional Development Agency and Aylesworth Fleming.

Its aim is to raise awareness among businesses of what hosting the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games could mean for the region.

"People may not have fully realised the potential opportunities that would be generated from the thousands of visitors, families and organisations that would be attracted to Dorset to support the Olympic athletes," added Mr Fernyhough, who points out that at Sydney some athletes travelled up to 1,200 miles to training camps outside the host city.