Britain 'on track' for Games legacy

Britain is "on track" to secure a lasting legacy from the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games in London, David Cameron said as he led events to mark the 200-day countdown to the opening ceremony.

The Prime Minister spoke as he prepared to gather senior colleagues at the Olympic Park in Stratford, east London, for a special Cabinet meeting focused on the major sporting event.

"As we kick off 2012, the year of the Olympic and Paralympic Games and the Diamond Jubilee, this is the perfect time for the Cabinet to come together and ensure we are doing absolutely everything we can to make the most of this unique opportunity to showcase all the great things the UK has to offer to the rest of the world," Mr Cameron said.

"As ministers visit Olympic venues, businesses, schools and organisations associated with 2012 right across the UK, I want the message to go out loud and clear, from tourism to business, sport to investment, we are determined to maximise the benefits of 2012 for the whole country."

Newly-agreed contracts for the long-term running of three more of the eight permanent venues would create 254 jobs for local people paid at London living wage rate, he announced.

And organisers remain confident of securing deals for the remaining two - the main stadium and the media centre - in time for the opening ceremony, they said.

Ministers will afterwards fan out to visit sports facilities, businesses, schools and organisations across the UK in a co-ordinated push to promote the Games' value.

Mr Cameron welcomed the confirmation of future ownership deals for the swimming and handball venues as well as the ArcelorMittal Orbit observation tower.

Details of the contracts are due to be set out on Monday by the Olympic Park Legacy Company, and Cameron continued: "[On Monday], as we mark 200 days to go, and six out of the eight Olympic venues having already secured their future, we are well on track to delivering a lasting legacy for the whole of Britain."

The firms taking on the venues have committed to both recruit most staff from the local area and source goods and services from small and medium sized local businesses.