THE Olympic Games in 2012 is going to be the biggest event to hit Britain since the football World Cup in 1966.

With it will come an estimated £2billion boost to the nation's tourism economy.

But when you think that the Games are costing this country £9.3billion, more than double the original estimate, it is vital we get every benefit we can.

And this logic does not just apply for London, but the whole country.

Of the total costs, it is reported that 63 per cent comes from central government and about a quarter from the National Lottery.

London's councils are paying just 13 per cent of the costs.

Therefore this means that taxpayers across the country are footing the bill.

For this reason, it is welcome today to see Lancashire County Council commission a report into how it can maximise the benefits to the area.

This is a massive untapped area for the county and something that should be undertaken with gusto.

Our council leaders need to ensure we get some of the cash spent back to boost our sporting facilities.

That way we can host training camps for athletes and bring in some of the accompanying tourism to make our outlay feel more justified.

We need to see a return more than pride at sporting excellence.