BUSINESSES in Dorset need to raise their game to take advantage of millions of pounds worth of opportunities from the London 2012 Olympic Games.

That was the warning today from business consultant Mick Aitken.

Mr Aitken has been advising firms in different parts of the country about the impact of the Games but also saw first hand how the Sydney Olympics in 2000 boosted the economy of the Australian state of Queensland.

Mr Aitken worked with the British Olympic Association ahead of the Sydney Games.

He set up and managed Team GB's training camps in Queensland, hundreds of miles from the games centre in Sydney.

He believes South West businesses can reap the rewards offered by the London 2012 Games.

Mr Aitken said that he knows how a region located some distance from an Olympic host city can benefit.

He said: "Before the Sydney Games started the Queensland Government estimated that it could capture Games-related business contracts worth around 50 million Australian dollars.

"They revised that upwards eight times.

"In the end Queensland companies secured more than $400m of contracts - more than eight times the original estimate.

"The same will happen with the London 2012 Games. There will be lots of opportunities.

"But businesses must see it like the athletes, as their chance to perform on the biggest stage in the world.

The starting point for businesses is to visit www.london2012.com/ business and register with CompeteFor, the online matching service for Games-related opportunities.

Business Link is also providing advice. For details call 0845 600 9966 or visit www.businesslinksw.co.uk