A Last-minute plea was made today for the Government to bid for the 2012 Olympic Games, which could give south Essex a major boost.

Leading councillors believe if the Olympics were based in London, some of the events would be staged at new purpose-built facilities in Essex as part of the Thames Gateway scheme.

Tony Blair will decide at the end of this week whether to make a bid.

Stephen Castle, a member of Essex County Council's Conservative cabinet, said: "I think the chances of London making a formal bid are very good.

"We support it and we want it to go ahead. We need to make it clear to the Government what we want."

Castle Point Tory MP Bob Spink and Southend Council leader Charles Latham have both welcomed the idea.

Published Wednesday, January 29, 2003

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