Support for London bid surges to 79%

Public support for London's Olympics bid has reached its highest level since the launch of the campaign two years ago, an opinion poll revealed today.

The ICM poll carried out at the weekend shows 79 per cent of Londoners back the bid - a rise of 12 per cent since October. A year ago support was running at 53 per cent.

Economic worries appear to be fading. Asked why they backed the bid, 43 per cent of the 1,000 adults polled said they believed the Games would provide a boost to the capital's economy.

The IOC's own polling will show support among London residents at 68 per cent in its report of the evaluation commission visit to the capital in February.

Mayor Ken Livingstone said the soaring public support shown by the ICM poll "gives us a real boost as we enter the home straight".