SWINDON ...AND PROUD OF IT: THE country may be holding its breath about whether London will be awarded the Olympic Games but Swindon has stolen a march on holding a sport events and will trouser £2 million into the bargain.

It has been announced that the town will host next summer's UK Corporate Games.

The games is the largest corporate sports event in Europe, and will see 6,000 competitors from 200 companies descend on the town.

It beat other bids from Manchester and Gateshead and will give Swindon the chance to show off its facilities from June 2 to June 4 next year.

Maureen Johnston, founder and president of the Worldwide Corporate Games Community, said the sport festival would mean an injection of at least £2m into the local economy. "We expect at least 6,000 athletes from in excess of 200 companies and organisations to participate in Swindon," said Dr Johnston.

"Most will be visiting Swindon for the first time and we want to make sure they have a great experience and discover the exciting sporting, business, and tourism opportunities that exist here.

"It will be of considerable interest to hoteliers, restaurateurs, transport providers, and the sports and entertainment industry as the action takes place over a long weekend providing considerable financial impact to the community."

Local firms will also be encouraged to take part, and there will also be a grand parade and arts events put on for the town.

Swindon Council leader Mike Bawden said: "It will benefit the town and provide a variety of exciting sporting and cultural opportunities for the people of Swindon and the thousands of visitors who are expected.

"We are very proud of our town and I look forward to proving that Swindon can host a first class national sporting event on this scale.

"This is undoubtedly a fantastic opportunity to present Swindon as a great place to live, do business or spend your leisure time."

The event includes badminton, volleyball, dragon boat racing and football, and is open to allcomers with no restrictions on age or ability.

Games international director Esther Nicholls said: "Swindon was selected because of its outstanding location in the heartland of the high tech, financial and corporate businesses in the UK."

The Games will be formally announced in front of the Town Hall in Albert Square, Manchester during an athletes' parade during the 14th UK Corporate Games on Saturday, June 11. A launch of the project will follow in Swindon during early autumn.

Tom Morton