Capital unites behind bid

London's bid to host the 2012 Olympics was boosted today with the support of the capital's councils.

As the race for the Games entered a crucial phase, six west London authorities vowed to work together to help secure the sporting spectacle.

Despite proposed Olympic venues being based primarily in east London, they said the whole city would share in the regeneration they would spark.

The councils also promised to begin work immediately to improve sports facilities in schools and colleges for the next generation of medal-winners.

They presented London 2012 bid leader Lord Coe with a blueprint of how famous facilities, such as Wembley stadium and Heathrow airport, could help impress the International Olympic Committee.

The IOC will decide next summer which of five cities - the others are Paris, Madrid, New York and Moscow - will host the Games. Lord Coe, who visited Wembley today to see its transformation, said: "West London's pledge of support sends a message to the IOC that the whole of London backs the bid. Let's not let this once in a lifetime opportunity pass us by."

Today's endorsement - from Brent, Ealing, Harrow, Hillingdon, Hounslow and Hammersmith and Fulham - comes as London looks to step up its challenge to frontrunner Paris.

In 10 days there will be a parade through central London honouring British athletes who collected 30 medals at the Athens Olympics.

London will submit its final bid to the IOC in mid-November, setting out details of how it would host the threeweek Games. Committee members are then due to visit next February, with the level of support among Londoners for the Games a major factor.

Ann John, leader of Brent council, said: "We will put together funding packages to improve sporting facilities and establish centres of excellence in advance of 2012."

She added that Wembley would play a critical role as the bid's "jewel in the crown".

The councils will also lobby for arrival facilities at Heathrow to match those of the new Terminal 5, and press for transport improvements such as Crossrail and Tube and tram schemes.